20km/h reduction for busy Barwon Heads corridor

NEW speed limits have been enforced on a busy corridor between the Barwon Heads township and Bluestone School Road following community concerns.

The Department of Transport conducted community consultations into the safety of the stretch of road before last week reducing the speed by 20km/h.

Concerns were raised over the speed of travellers along with the pedestrian access particularly at the Tomara Drive intersection.

Vanessa Schernickau, director of Barwon South West said the Department of Transport had taken action to improve the safety of drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians by introducing a safer speed limit of 80km/h.

“This change follows community feedback about their experiences on the road – particularly concerns around speed, pedestrian safety and speed limit investigations by the Department of Transport,” she said.

While the new limit has been controversial for some road users the department claims the new 80km/h zone will add minimal amount of travel time for drivers taking an estimated 30 seconds longer over the 3.6km distance.

Additionally, extra safety measures are set to be introduced along the stretch of road to increase accessibility.

“We will also be installing a pedestrian refuge and improving street lighting at the Tomara Drive intersection on Barwon Heads Road to provide a safer crossing opportunity for all along this increasingly busy corridor,” Ms Schernickau said.

Designs are currently underway with the project anticipated to be completed in June 2021.