Trial reduces speed limit through through Aireys Inlet and Fairhaven

A SECTION of the Great Ocean Road at Aireys Inlet and Fairhaven has been reduced from 60km per hour to 50kmh under a six-month trial by Regional Roads Victoria.

Local residents have been lobbying for a cut to the limit, saying the towns were the only Great Ocean Road communities not to have a 50kmh cap.

Resident Chris Ryan says previous traffic measurement surveys have shown that during the summer, peak vehicle volumes range from 4,000 to 15,000 per day, and “divides the two in two.”

“This traffic on the Great Ocean Road, particularly in peak season, impedes pedestrian movement across the road… all other towns on the Great Ocean Road have speed limits of 50 kmh.”

Together with the Aireys Inlet and District Association (AIDA), Mr Ryan and the community organised a ‘Sharing Our Roads’ community survey on the issue earlier in the year, to bolster its push for action on speed limits in the area.

Of the 150 respondents, 74 per cent said lower speed limits would improve conditions and 63 per cent favoured “shared roadway” signs at the entrances to town.

“The recent reduction of the speed limit in the Lighthouse Precinct to 40kmh has proved very beneficial and it is hoped that this limit might be extended to the remainder of our residential roads,” Mr Ryan said.

Another survey seeking to understand community sentiment on the issue concluded last week, this time led by Deakin University working with the Department of Transport.
“The feedback obtained from the survey, along with technical data collected at key pedestrian crossing points, traffic volumes, vehicle types and speed, will form part of an independent evaluation to determine future road safety improvements in the area,” AIDA president Charlotte Allen said.

The department’s regional director Michael Tudball said the six-month trial along the 3.5km section was in response to discussions with the community and Surf Coast Shire, and any decision on a more permanent change to the limit would be made after a review of all road data and information collected by Regional Roads Victoria.

“Thousands of vehicles will travel along this section of the Great Ocean Road this summer, bringing with it a rise in visitor numbers and a large number of pedestrians crossing the road – accessing businesses, going to the beach or exploring the picturesque area,” Mr Tudball said.

“By conducting a speed trial, we can better understand vehicle, bike and pedestrian movements through Aireys Inlet and Fairhaven and the impact that lowering of the existing speed limit might have.”