Middleton Pedestrian Crossings - Feedback
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Port Elliot road is under the control of the State Government, Department of Infrastructure and Transport (DIT). Therefore when Council initiates the installation of a traffic control device on a State Government Road, approval is required from DIT.
Council completed a traffic study which investigated traffic volumes, pedestrian movements and identified desirable locations for three crossing points within Middleton. Council has also undertaken additional work recently in collaboration and supported by DIT resulting in the three (3) pedestrian refuge crossing concepts for public consultation. Any proposed pedestrian crossings must meet minimum criteria dictated by DIT traffic engineering standards.
Consideration of all pedestrian crossing types were undertaken. DIT were not supportive or would not approve a signalised crossing or Zebra crossing. These types of crossings prioritise pedestrian movements over vehicle movements and therefore would negatively impact on traffic flows along Port Elliot Road. The proposed pedestrian refuge crossings are based on traffic engineering advice and have in-principle support by DIT.
Q. Will parking be lost in front of businesses?
A. While the proposal will result in some car parks being removed, line marking on the road will define parking spaces either side of the pedestrian crossing facilities which will improve parking efficiency. This is particularly important to note at the western most crossing where we plan to scale back a yellow line on the southern side of Port Elliot Road (opposite the Middleton Tavern) and line mark up to 5 parking bays from Mindacowie Terrace and the proposed pedestrian crossing facility opposite the bakery.
Q. Why does Mount Compass and Port Elliot have push button pedestrian crossings and Middleton isn’t able to?
A. Middleton does not have a town bypass road for heavy vehicles. DIT will not support stopping traffic though Middleton due to high volume of vehicular and commercial over-size and over-mass traffic. Middleton receives more main road traffic than Mount Compass and at Port Elliot, Waterport Road acts as a town bypass.