Elsie Lange
Upgrades to one of Woodend’s most complained about intersections have been listed as “medium-term” priority in Macedon Ranges council’s new Woodend Integrated Transport Plan.
The plan guides a 10-year program for works to improve existing traffic and transport issues in the town
The plan, outlined in a report to council, identifies gaps and opportunities between what is currently available and community expectations, providing recommendations based on priority.
At a meeting on Wednesday, November 23, council assets and operations director Shane Walden said issues raised by the community included the Coles intersection at High and Urquart streets and the availability of connected pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.
The Department of Transport has begun design works for upgrading the High and Urquart streets intersection, noted in the transport plan as a “medium term action”.
“Not as it is not important, rather that there are long lead times into the development of an intersection upgrade,” Mr Walden said.
Councillor Janet Pearce said since the opening of Coles in 2018, council had continually heard from residents regarding concerns at High and Urquart streets.
“I just want to reassure everyone that we have been continually advocating and working on this … and we do understand how important this is,” she said.
The transport plan identified 28 recommendations focusing on various areas and modes of traffic and transport, such as better active transport routes, public transport with train and bus accessibility, and road safety in various locations.
Recommendations were categorised into short (one to three years), medium (four to seven years) and long-term (seven or more years) goals based on complexity.
The highest short term priority was to undertake an estimated $20,000 review of pedestrian access alongside roads, namely to provide pedestrian refuge and Disability Discrimination Act- compliant pram ramps.
The following four short-term priorities (in order) were related to reviewing speed limits, upgrading High Street service lane to a wombat crossing, creating a pedestrian refuge crossing at the intersection of Romsey Road and Avenue of Honour and creating a pedestrian refuge crossing at Forest and High streets.
“This report will provide a direction for the future sustainable development of Woodend over the proceeding 15 to 20 years,” the report said.
