A petition is now circulating urging better pedestrian access around the Creswick Road/Doveton Street roundabout, one of the busiest in the city.

Central Ward councillor Belinda Coates described the situation as "really not good enough", saying that council had been advocating for better pedestrian access for years.

Despite the campaign, the Department of Transport has said there were no immediate plans for change.

HOW DO YOU FIND THE AREA AS A PEDESTRIAN? TELL US BELOW

The petition is calling for safe access between Aldi, Doveton Street Medical Centre and the Ballarat Library, with the petition founder saying those with children or mobility issues consistently struggled to navigate the several lanes of traffic.

The Courier spoke to several pedestrians in the area on Wednesday, with the majority agreeing safety was an issue for those crossing the road on foot - although one said they thought it was more dangerous for motorists.

Marica Jelencic, who had just crossed Doveton Street North, said she had to use the crossing regularly: "It's really dangerous, especially if someone is driving through fast. I was really close [to being hit] one day a little while ago. There should be a pedestrian crossing."

Further down the road, Jade, who did not give her full name, said the traffic and the lack of parking access had affected how often she visited the city's main library with her young children.

"It's obviously really difficult - we practically never come any more. All the roads are so busy."

She said they would go to Sebastopol Library instead as there was easier access and they could park nearby.

Another pedestrian who stopped to speak, John Meneely, described the accessibility for those on foot as "a bit ordinary."

"The car parking is more the issue," he said. "There's not enough around the library and that just compounds it."

Stephanie McGlinchey, a librarian at an academic library in Ballarat, is one of those who has already signed the petition.

"Crossing that particular intersection, you always feel you are taking your life into your own hands," she said. "The roundabout hasn't calmed traffic at all, and parking at the library has been significantly compromised. It is important that an asset like that remains accessible."

Ms McGlinchey said the steps on the Toyota garage side of Doveton Street were another barrier to those with limited mobility.

The library lies on an increasingly busy intersection, where traffic is managed by a roundabout with five separate exits, including north and south Doveton Street, Webster Street, Creswick Road, and Market Street.

The area around the library has transformed in recent years with the GovHub development now looming in the background.

As the Creswick Road is a busy thoroughfare into the city, it is overseen by Regional Roads Victoria rather than the City of Ballarat.

Michael Bailey, the Grampians director at the Department of Transport, said in a statement: "Pedestrians have a number of safe options to access the Ballarat Central Library, including signalised Mair Street intersections at Doveton and Armstrong streets."

"We'll continue to monitor pedestrian safety in the area to ensure our transport infrastructure keeps the community moving safely."

People are due to start working in the GovHub this month, with up to 600 workers expected in the early stages. Exact numbers and timeframes for their start are yet to be confirmed.

The library is also undergoing a major redesign and upgrade.

Cr Coates, however, believes improvements for pedestrians are long overdue.

"We have been lobbying them the whole time I have been on council," Cr Coates said.

"We shouldn't have to wait that long. It's just really poor. It's been such a low priority for so long, first for VicRoads, and subsequently for Regional Roads Victoria. It is absolutely about time."

Attributable to Michael Bailey, Director (Grampians), Department of Transport

"Pedestrians have a number of safe options to access the Ballarat Central Library, including signalised Mair Street intersections at Doveton and Armstrong streets."

"We'll continue to monitor pedestrian safety in the area to ensure our transport infrastructure keeps the community moving safely."

Background

We recommend that pedestrians visiting the library choose alternatives to Creswick Road, which is the extension of the Midland Highway and a dual lane, busy road through Ballarat.

There are signalised intersections available for pedestrians to access the library at Mair Street, both at the Doveton and Armstrong Street intersections.

For motorists who park off site, they are urged to use the nearby council car park and walk along the quieter service lane that runs along the eastern side of Creswick Road.

They can also park in the Ballarat Station carpark and walk up quieter, safer streets to access the library.

HOW DO YOU FIND THE AREA AS A PEDESTRIAN? TELL US BELOW

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