AFTER been installed for just under a month, Smythesdale\u2019s safer crossing signage between the Thru the Gate and Rustic Edge cafes at the Glenelg Highway have been removed.<\/p>\n
The twin signs were put up by Lin Hocking-Turnbull at the start of February, after which she was prompted to take them down by staff at VicRoads, who plan to reduce the road\u2019s speed limit from 60kph to 50kph.<\/p>\n
She said she wanted to see more pedestrians using the curb extension between the cafes for shorter walks across the road.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was seeing people crossing nearly at the bend going from the supermarket to the post office,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a hell of a lot more traffic than there used to be, and it\u2019s silly. We\u2019ve got this slightly better zone and people just didn\u2019t realise or didn\u2019t think to use it.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s also worked in our favour because we found out the council and VicRoads are actually going to do something.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think they were worried it was going to be a distraction and people would think it was a pedestrian crossing even though it hasn\u2019t got a zebra crossing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI took them down in good faith and to do the right thing if we\u2019re going to get a 50 km\/h zone. Every little bit helps.\u201d<\/p>\n
A Department of Transport and Planning spokesperson confirmed the speed reduction is in the works.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith safety at the forefront, we\u2019re currently assessing a proposal for a safer speed limit of 50kph on Brooke Street in Smythesdale,\u201d the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlready 77 lives have been lost on Victoria\u2019s roads this year. We urge everyone to look out for each other on the roads and drive responsibly.\u201d<\/p>\n
Signage for the speed reduction is set to be installed within the next six weeks as part of Golden Plains Shire\u2019s Northern Streetscapes Project put forward to the Department.<\/p>\n
The project also includes a potentially formalised pedestrian crossing for the site, and the municipality\u2019s director of infrastructure and environment Phil Josipovic said although the speed reduction is confirmed, details for a crossing have yet to be.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs part of its proposal, council requested a speed limit reduction to enhance pedestrian safety at the proposed crossing points,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Department, as the responsible road authority for the Glenelg Highway, reviewed this request and has recommended a reduced speed limit from 60kph to 50kph. Council also supports this recommendation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe final step in the process is to enact the change by installing the new speed limit signs, which will be undertaken shortly by the Department.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith respect to the pedestrian crossings, further consultation with the community will be undertaken, and detailed designs and costings will be developed before construction is set to begin in late 2023.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Northern Streetscapes Project also proposes beautification and road safety works for Linton and Scarsdale, with a framework plan adopted during council\u2019s April meeting last year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
AFTER been installed for just under a month, Smythesdale\u2019s safer crossing signage between the Thru the Gate and Rustic Edge cafes at the Glenelg Highway have been removed. The twin signs were put up by Lin Hocking-Turnbull at the start of February, after which she was prompted to take them down by staff at VicRoads, […]<\/p>\n