It is very gratifying to be able to report that, on 2 October, our City Council approved
unanimously the recommendations of the City Infrastructure Committee to build some safety improvements along Hill Street. The agreed resolution, taken from the Minutes, is included below.
These changes will make Hill Street more friendly to people walking and riding, by adding more generous pedestrian crossing points, more clearly defining the traffic lanes, and marking some on-road bikelanes. There will be a bigger safer bus stop near Lawrenny Court, and a wombat crossing will be trialled at the chemist/Smolt Kitchen corner. There will be more kerb ramps to make it easier for prams and wheelchairs to navigate our streets. A lowered speed limit will be requested from State Growth once these works are complete.
As you know the community has been agitating for some years now to make our neighbourhood streets safer. A collaborative effort by the schools (Lansdowne Crescent leading the way), local businesses, and residents groups (such as West Hobart Environment Network) has finally been effective in swaying our Council Aldermen and civil engineering staff to move forward along the path to safer, more inclusive streets.
While the community wants to go further and faster, with immediate assistance for children walking to school, a more positive attitude to wombat crossings, and more connections to bikepaths to help people to ride to work and school in safety, this current project is a significant step forward for our neighbourhood. It should have a desirable effect on average traffic speeds along Hill Street, reducing them noticeably. This will greatly improve the comfort of the immediate residents and the safety of all pedestrians and bike riders using or crossing Hill Street.
We look forward to seeing the works start, and finish (!), and to trying out the wombat crossing.
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COUNCIL
RESOLUTION:
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That: 1. The
revised concept design for pedestrian crossing points, median lane and
bicycle lanes (marked as Attachment D to item 6.6 of the Open City
Infrastructure Committee agenda of 20 September 2017) be implemented.
2. The
Transport Commissioner be requested to consider a 40 km/h speed limit
for Hill Street (between Molle Street and Arthur Street) following the
implementation of this project.
3. The
findings of the Midson Traffic Report (marked as Attachment C to item 6.6
of the Open City Infrastructure Committee agenda of 20 September 2017) be
endorsed and the following recommendations be adopted:
(i) A
trial implementation of a wombat crossing across Hill Street (on the northern
side of the Pine Street roundabout) be undertaken, subject to further
consultation with directly impacted property owners, residents and businesses
and all statutory advertising and approvals.
(ii) Results
of the trial, including recommendations on the installation of two additional
wombat crossing in Hill Street (at both Warwick Street and Patrick Street),
be the subject of a further report.
(iii) Further
surveys of pedestrians and pedestrian types over a longer period (i.e. one
school week) be done at the Patrick Street roundabout and the results
forwarded to the Transport Commissioner for consideration of a
children’s crossing and adult crossing guard.
(iv) Traffic
signals not be implemented at the Arthur Street / Hill Street or Patrick
Street / Lansdowne Crescent / Hill Street intersections at this time.
4. The
required funding for the installation of wombat crossings at Warwick Street
and Patrick Street (if not trialled) be listed for consideration in the 2018‑19
Annual Plan, with installation contingent on a successful trial and future
resolution of Council.
5. The
Transport Commissioner be requested to provide assistance as may be required
with the implementation of an awareness and education campaign regarding the
use of wombat crossings.
6. Midson
Traffic be requested to provide a briefing to the community on the outcomes
of its report.
7. A media release be issued by the Lord Mayor
and the Chairman of the City Infrastructure Committee.
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