By VANESSA CHIRCOP
COUNCILLORS have moved to adopt Traffic Management Plans in Altona Meadows and Williamstown South to tackle traffic congestion, parking and improve safety for residents.
A study of both areas found several issues needed to be addressed with roundabouts, traffic islands, pram ramps and speed cushions just some of the recommendations made by the traffic study groups.
In Altona Meadows, the residential streets identified as having the worst traffic problems were Alma Ave, Hall Ave, Merton St and Nicholson St whereas Queen St was identified as a major road with traffic problems.
Councillor Luba Grigorovitch who took part in the traffic study group said the recommendations of the study will be referred to the five year Capital Works Program.
“The main focus is safety, parking and of course reducing speed,” she said.
“The one thing that would have a major effect on residents is there is going to be a trial one-way street arrangement in Orville St and Nicholson St near Altona Meadows Primary School, the reasoning for this is it’s just too congested in the mornings because of all the cars parking on both sides – it will be interesting to see how that one-way trial goes,” she said.
In Williamstown, Victoria St, Osborne St, Cole St and the Esplanade were identified as the residential streets with the most traffic problems, while the Victoria St and Osborne St intersection and the Osborne St and Forster St intersections were identified as areas where safety can be improved.
Cr Angela Altair said the studies were a terrific way to work with residents “who know best”, applying “common sense” to improve safety right down to the micro-level.
“Where our consultants came up with some really expensive fancy solutions they (the residents) scotched those as quite unnecessary,” she said.
Cr Altair said the recommendations would be carried out progressively in stages with the council needing to sign off on many items in the budget but there would also be some urgent works carried out right away.
Major parking concerns were raised around Bayside Secondary College, with a recommendation to add a footpath on Bayview St between Kokoda Rd and Collins St raising a few eyebrows.
Cr Peter Hemphill said some residents and members of the sports club were concerned the footpath would impinge on the street’s parking.
He said it was a real concern for the residents who wanted to see the footpath inside the fence of the ground so it would not add to an already massive parking problem in the area.
Cr Altair said the recommendations would not be carried out without proper consultation with those concerned.
