Community has its say on new pedestrian and road safety projects

New zebra crossings and shared zones could be rolled out in East Melbourne as the City of Melbourne explores ways of improving pedestrian and road safety.

The council recently commissioned a consultancy firm to undertake a study on potential road and pedestrian improvements needed in the East Melbourne/Jolimont area.

An online information session and a Q&A was held on November 9, allowing community members to find out more about the proposed improvements.  

The council said it had identified a list of projects, which would be staged over the next three years for implementation based on funding availability, community preference, as well as expert advice and cost effectiveness.

The proposed projects include 12 new zebra crossings, seven shared crossings, traffic signals at Albert and Clarendon streets, and three left turn bans along Hoddle St.

As reported recently in Inner City News, new 40km/h speed limits have already been introduced in East Melbourne in September, which was approved by the Department of Transport and supported by residents.

The council’s recent study, which was undertaken by transport engineering consultants at Movendo, has included a review of 10 years of community submissions and an analysis of pedestrian volumes, vehicular speed and volume data and crash statistics between 2014 and 2019.

“So far in the study we have identified a list of potential pedestrian and road safety improvement projects with high level concept plans and cost estimates, and developed an implementation plan,” the council said.

The community’s say will be considered by the council before a plan is expected to be finalised in December. Works are proposed to kick off in April 2023.

Funding has been allocated this financial year to begin some priority projects, the council confirmed. 

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the council was committed to improving safety across the municipality and was currently exploring ways to “make it easier for all road users to travel safely and efficiently through East Melbourne”.

“East Melbourne is one of the city’s most treasured suburbs. Its combination of heritage buildings, iconic landmarks, and open spaces right on the doorstep of the CBD make it an ideal location to live, work and visit,” she said.

The East Melbourne Group’s (EMG) heritage and planning convenor Greg Bisinella said they had been actively engaging with the council and its contractor regarding road safety and walkability.

He said the latest public consultation on a range of projects was a welcome initiative and “gives residents and business owners in East Melbourne the opportunity to have input into the future road and walking options for the suburb”.

“Having said that we have cautioned the ccouncil to step through the process and not hurriedly implement any initiatives without further consultation,” he said.

“It is our experience that residents often want to get engaged at the point when council advises on the implementation of a new initiative. We have suggested that after the consultation process is completed, a list is provided for further consultation and consideration.”

Mr Bisinella said ongoing meetings with the council had been productive, with the EMG particularly pleased to see new 40km/h speed limits introduced “so that the suburb falls in line with other suburbs in the City of Melbourne and makes it a safer place to live”. •

Caption: Residents recently welcomed new 40km/h speed limits in East Melbourne.