Study to consider pedestrian safety at intersections

THE City of Greater Geelong will investigate traffic improvements to increase safety for pedestrians at intersections in Highton, Belmont and Armstrong Creek.

Councillors received a report created following a notice of motion from Cr Ron Nelson in February.

The motion requested a report from the city’s chief executive officer to address community members’ concerns at Burdekin Drive, Highton (at or near the entrance to Christian College); Highmont Drive and Charolais Court, Belmont; Meadowvale Drive and Amarina Crescent, Grovedale; and Carter Road, Armstrong Creek.

The City of Greater Geelong has already made moves to address issues at three of the intersections.

Meadowvale Drive is already funded in the city’s 2020-21 capital works program, with speed humps being constructed in coming months, while Highmont Drive and Carter Road have both been submitted by councillors for funding consideration in the 2021-22 Budget. If successful, the funding will be delivered outside of the city’s capital works program for traffic management infrastructure.

At the meeting, the council resolved to carry out traffic data surveys on the existing current traffic volumes, speed, turning movements and pedestrian usage to determine suitability for future works at Burdekin Drive, Highmont Drive and Carter Road.

Results from the traffic surveys will then be assessed by city staff to determine suitability of further works.

If suitable, concept plans, engagement with local residents and funding assessments will be carried out.

Geelong mayor Stephanie Asher said it was important to continue improving safety throughout the region.

“As we look to embrace more sustainable modes of travel, like walking and riding, we need good traffic infrastructure to support those changes,” she said.

Cr Nelson said he looked forward to seeing the results of the traffic survey.

“Thanks to residents raising these concerns with us, we are getting the sites investigated further to determine the next steps to make our suburbs safer and more liveable,” he said.

“It is pleasing to see works already planned for Meadowvale Drive, Grovedale, and I look forward to seeing what can be done for the other sites where community members have raised potential safety issues for pedestrians.”