Dropping Adelaide CBD speed limit will cause other problems, warns acting Transport Minister Rob Lucas
A proposed 40km/h limit for the Adelaide CBD would come with another set of problems, says acting Transport Minister Rob Lucas. Would those problems be worth the benefit? We asked some city commuters to weigh in.
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The State Government has raised concerns about a push for a blanket 40km/h speed limit in the CBD and North Adelaide, saying it could “negatively” impact the city.
Acting Transport Minister Rob Lucas said any changes to limits, which were discussed at an Adelaide City Council workshop on Tuesday night, could come with problems.
They include increasing travel time by up to 90 seconds along some thoroughfares.
“The State Government is mindful that any blanket changes to reduce all speed limits within the CBD could negatively impact traffic flow and increase travel times through the CBD for people getting to and from work or home,” Mr Lucas said.
At the workshop, elected members discussed current city speed limits, whether they were appropriate and how any changes would impact safety.
Some said a blanket 40km/h speed limit would discourage people from visiting the CBD and cause congestion on major arterial roads, while others said it would reduce crashes.
No formal recommendations have been made, with a strategy set to be completed by February.
Cr Alex Hyde said a reduction on arterial roads would discourage people from visiting.
“People come to the city to visit, spend money and keep the economy going, and I don’t want to send a message saying that we are going to make it tougher for you to get from A to B,” Cr Hyde said.
“We do it with parking and, if we do it with speed limits, I think that it is very bad.”
Meanwhile, Helen Donovan said she would be supportive of 40km/h citywide limit, but would be open to making exceptions on some arterial roads.
“If we can reduce the risk of death to our residents and our visitors by half by simply adding up to, possibly, 90 seconds to our journey that is sufficiently compelling for us to make a good decision,” she said.
Latest road crash data showed there were 678 crashes in Adelaide and North Adelaide in 2018, slightly down from 697 in 2017. Elected members called for more information about whether speed contributed to any incidents.
RAA safety and infrastructure senior manager Charles Mountain said should changes occur, current speed limits on key east-west routes, including Wakefield and Grote streets, and South Tce, need to be retained.
“North Tce could benefit from a review of its speed limit because of the tram operating there, and increased levels of pedestrian activity resulting from the hospital precinct,” Mr Mountain said.
“West Tce forms part of the arterial roads network connecting Port Rd, Anzac Highway and Goodwood Rd, so maintaining the existing speed limit of 60km/h is consistent with the connecting roads.”
The council changed the speed limit in Hutt St to 40km/h in 2014, but that was dumped following community backlash.
STREET POLL: WHAT DO YOU THINK?
“Why stop there, everyone should go e-scooter speed.”
– Charlotte Price, Morphett Vale
“It is already slow in the city, so lowering the limit will just make it more congested and everyone would be angry about it.”
– Cameron Liu, Wayville
“In the city, regardless of where you go, it is still nice and easy to travel around when you are going slower, and you can also brake easier.”
– John Cools, Athelstone
“I think it would be safer for pedestrians and cyclists. I’m all for it.”
– Trudi Draper, Highgate
“I’m supportive of anything that will reduce accidents but, as a young person, I’m probably playing devil’s advocate a bit because I just want to get from A to B as quick as I can.”
– Emily Draper, Highgate