A four-foot fence between two of Byford’s major shopping centres will soon be removed, much to the delight of shoppers and business owners.
The mesh fence between the Byford Market Place and Coles Byford sites has caused members of the community havoc for the past 14 months, as they have been forced to drive about 40 metres along Abernethy Road to get to the other site, instead of being able to drive freely between the two.
Shire president Michelle Rich said the shire has been working with the two supermarket chains for the past year to achieve an outcome that would benefit the community.
“The shire is pleased to advise that Coles and Woolworths have agreed to remediation works along the access road (informally referred to as Pioneer Road) to Byford Village, which will provide unrestricted pedestrian access between the two shopping centres,” she said. These works will include removing the fence and also lowering the pavement levels.
SGB Podiatry owner Steven Burton welcomes the news.
“The fence has definitely affected the levels of footfall accessing our side of Byford Market Place, as well as visually being a physical barrier to those shoppers passing by to shop at Coles,” he said.
“It gives the impression that our business is closed.
“The Byford shopping experience will now be much more pleasurable enabling easy access to all facilities and services offered.”
Byford Market Place centre manager Mark Price echoed Mr Burton’s views and said it is a good decision for the community.
“It is fantastic to hear the fence is definitely coming down and we can’t wait to see all shoppers go to both shopping centres,” he said.
The shire has advised that part of the fence from the end of Pioneer Road to the medical centre will be removed from this Friday, December 13 and the majority of the work will start from January 6.
Vehicle and pedestrian access to Byford Village will not be interrupted during the works.
Vehicle access will be available in and out via Pioneer Road and pedestrian access will be available via the footpath on the eastern side of Pioneer Road.
Woolworths will complete the works.
All enquiries relating to the works should be directed to mprice@erceg.com.au.
