THE majority of Reid residents who responded to a recent survey support the reopening of Paternoster Road, in Reid.
The survey was issued by local Member of Parliament Tony Piccolo and related to a move by Light Regional Council to close the far northern end of Paternoster Road.
The proposed closure followed reports from nearby property owners that the area is regularly accessed by motorbikes or four-wheel drives to either illegally dump rubbish, or to access and ride along the now disused section of the Gawler railway line.
The plan was for the subject dirt stretch to become a 'reserve' to legally prevent motor bikes and vehicles from entering the area.
However, Mr Piccolo asked council to place the process on hold pending further engagement with the community.
Of those who responded to the survey 63.5 per cent expressed their preference for the opening of the road, subject to it being properly sealed, footpaths constructed and access to the now disused railway corridor to be removed until it is properly redeveloped.
28.8 per cent of respondents supported council’s proposed action, specifically noting that non-vehicular access would be maintained up to the end of the road, while 7.7 per cent suggested alternative measures.
Some of those suggestions included opening Paternoster Road to Two Wells Road, as well as installing bollards and sealing footpaths to discourage or prevent vehicular access.
Mr Piccolo said Light Regional Council have been very cooperative and prepared background information to help residents gain a better understanding of the issues and possible solutions to inform their responses to the survey.
“A satisfactory long-term solution will require a great deal of goodwill from many parties in addition to residents, as the locality is under the care and control of the Light Regional Council, the Town of Gawler and the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure,” Mr Piccolo said.
“It is an odd and unfair situation as Light Regional Council have control of that part of the road under consideration, yet all affected residents live within the Town of Gawler.”
Mr Piccolo said that now initial community engagement has taken place, he will be writing to the transport minister, in addition to Light Regional and Gawler Councils, as portions of the disused rail corridor are owned by the State Government.