Rip up CBD roads for parks: Councillor reveals vision for Melbourne

Many CBD roads should be ripped up and converted into "linear parks", bike paths and tram lines if Melbourne wants to keep its title as the world's most liveable city, says the council's new transport chairman.

Chair of Melbourne City Council's transport portfolio
 has backed the government's proposed North East
Link toll road, a rail link to the airport, and called for
roads to be converted to "linear parks" reserved for
 trams, cyclists and pedestrians.

And a rail link to the airport also needs to be made a priority, says Nicolas Frances Gilley , who has been the council's transport chair since March.

As the council prepares to update its transport strategy next year, Cr Frances Gilley has outlined his personal view of where the city should head.

By 2036, the Melbourne council area is tipped to host 1.4 million residents, workers and visitors each day - up from 922,000 now.

In his Transport Vision for Melbourne, the councillor argues that more space is needed for people and "less for cars", if Melbourne is to keep its most-liveable-city title.

Read Timna Jacks’ story in today’s Melbourne Age - “Rip up CBD roads for parks: Councillor reveals vision for Melbourne.”

(At last! Someone of some authority is talking sense - Robert McLean)