Greater pedestrian and motorist safety is driving proposed changes to existing Shared Zones in the Campbelltown and Ingleburn central business district (CBD) areas, and Campbelltown City Council is seeking community feedback on the proposals.
Residents, business owners, visitors and other interested parties are encouraged to have a say on the proposed changes via council’s website.
A number of Shared Zones currently exist within the CBD areas of Campbelltown and Ingleburn, however, the changing streetscape, growing population and increasing traffic volumes in the CBD areas, together with confusion surrounding the rules of Shared Zones, has raised safety concerns from the community and council.
Mayor of Campbelltown, Cr Paul Lake, said it was time to review existing Shared Zones and make zonings more compatible with our current road conditions.
“Pedestrian and motorist safety is an absolute priority when it comes to reviewing any traffic conditions, and Shared Zones have proved to be ineffective and confusing, making them a potential hazard waiting to happen,” Cr Lake said.
“Council has conducted an extensive review of the situation, which shows that it’s high time to look at introducing more user-friendly and compatible zoning in these areas that put safety first.
“In most cases, our existing Shared Zones no longer meet the requirements of such a zone, and Council proposes to better address the issue by providing defined crossing points for pedestrians and implementing 40km/h speed limits, consistent with other areas of high pedestrian activity, such as school zones,” Cr Lake added.
“I encourage everyone to consider the proposals and provide feedback as this is an important change to traffic conditions in our city centres that recognises the need to improve pedestrian and motorist safety in line with our changing streetscape and growing population.”
It is proposed to retain some smaller sections of the existing 10km/h Shared Zones in the Campbelltown and Ingleburn CBDs, where traffic volume is low.
Other sections would be converted to 40km/h High Pedestrian Activity Areas (HPAA), complemented by the introduction of formal pedestrian crossings.
Council has already taken the proposals to the streets to ascertain the community’s views, with a number of staff dedicated to obtaining feedback at the 2014 Festival of Fisher’s Ghost Street Fair, held earlier this month.
A pop-up information stand on Oxford Road, Ingleburn operatee last week, to provide another opportunity for people to share their views.
Following the consultation period, the matter will be referred to the Local Traffic Committee, whose members will assess the proposal and submit any recommendations to the council for final consideration.
If council decides to adopt the proposed recommendations and implement 40km/h HPAAs, Roads and Maritime Services approval will be required prior to any changes being implemented in 2015.
More detailed information on the proposals, including a flyer and maps outlining the proposed changes and relevant factsheets, is available via Council’s website at campbelltown.nsw.gov.au/SharedZones
Comments can be made by completing the online feedback form or by emailing council@campbelltown.nsw.gov.au. Submissions can also be made in writing to The General Manager, Campbelltown City Council, PO Box 57, Campbelltown 2560.
Comments are invited until 4.30pm on Friday, December 12.
