THE speed limit in Ballarat’s central business district could be reduced under a proposal being considered by the City of Ballarat.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The application involves reducing the speed limit of Sturt Street between Dawson and Humffray streets and bounded by Mair and Dana streets from 50km/h to 40km/h.
The plan also incorporates sections of Grenville, Camp, Peel, Little Bridge and Little Channel streets.
A report recommends that councillors vote in favour of undertaking consultation with the community, Commerce Ballarat and CBD stakeholders to gauge their views of the plan.
It also outlines plans to extend pedestrian walk phases for pedestrian crossings along parts of Sturt Street to allow greater time for pedestrians to cross the road safely.
Sturt Street traders have backed the proposal and say it is necessary to improve the safety of all road users.
King Bakery owner Minh Tran said she has witnessed countless crashes in the 23 years she has run the bakery.
She said drivers were prone to braking suddenly out the front of her bakery.
“All the time I see people try and cross the road but drivers are speeding so they end up having to run across the road,” Ms Tran said.
“It will be safer for everybody.”
Thomas Jewellers sales assistant Wendy Smith also welcomed the idea.
She also said improving the pedestrian crossing at the end of Sturt Street near Grenville Street was a necessary change.
“The traffic lights need to be made more user-friendly for pedestrians,” Ms Smith. “Increasing walking phase times would definitely help.”
City Infrastructure general manager Eric Braslis said the move would benefit businesses in the CBD and would make walking easier in the city’s retail, commercial and dining precincts.
The plan was sparked by the council’s community safety action plan and has the support of VicRoads.
A statement from VicRoads in the council agenda outlined that a lower speed limit would provide a safer CBD for vulnerable road users and that the application was consistent with the Victorian Speed Zoning Guidelines.
It also said the plan reflected VicRoads’ draft SmartRoads network operating plans for Ballarat.
melissa.cunningham@fairfaxmedia.com.au
