Prospect streets could be 40km/h if the council goes with suggestions in Tonkin’s traffic report

INTRODUCING 40km/h speed limit zones across all council-owned roads in one part of Adelaide is among a raft of suggestions outlined in a consultants’ report to fix traffic issues.

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INTRODUCING 40km/h speed limit zones across all council-owned roads in Prospect is among a raft of suggestions outlined in a consultants’ report to fix traffic issues in the district.

Prospect Council hired Tonkin consulting last year to create an overarching traffic management plan for streets bordered by Fitzroy Tce, Prospect Rd, Regency Rd and Main North Rd.

The consultants, who also recommend one-way streets and parking restrictions in their report, contacted residents for feedback on traffic issues to form the new plan.

They found residents’ main concern was speeding, despite the consultants’ own research revealing average speeds across the district being well under the prescribed 50km/h.

The consultants found vehicles travelled at 35-42km/h.

“The application of a 40km/h speed limit within the Prospect (northeast) and (southeast) precincts remains a viable treatment option,” the report stated.

“(The) council may want to reconsider whether 40km/h precinct speed limits should be applied throughout the Prospect Council, similar to the whole of Unley.”

The council will run its own community consultation and developing a draft plan to tackle the issues outlined by the consultants.

Other recommendations in Tonkin’s report included:

RESTRICTING parking along Ballville St because there were nine accidents along the street between 2007 and 2013, which all involved a collision with a parked car.

MAKING Highbury St one-way between Niall St and Thorngate St to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow during peak school times.

CLOSING part of Carter St, at the intersection of Thorngate St, to deter ‘rat-runners’ using it as a thoroughfare between Prospect Rd and Fitzroy Tce.

Residents have until February 20 to provide feedback on the consultants’ suggestions.

Locals contacted by the City North Messenger said they would support a 40km/h speed limit for the entire district.

More than 15 years ago, streets between Prospect Rd and Churchill Rd were made 40km/h.

Residents also listed parking as a major issue, saying an increase in multistorey development in the district had led to a car park squeeze.

“I was standing out the front doing some gardening the other day when a guy went past and he would’ve been doing about 120km/h,” Johns Rd resident Jack Condous said.

“It only takes a slight second for them to veer onto a verge or where kids are playing cricket, it’s not safe.

“I think 40km/h would be the way to go all over the suburb.”

Prospect Residents Association president Elizabeth Crisp agreed.

“It’s my personal opinion is that 40km/h should be across all residential streets because the amount of traffic is growing all the time,” Ms Crisp said.

“One of the things that worries me too is there is a whole lot of development happening with inadequate parking so people are parking on the streets.”

Prospect infrastructure director Alex Cortes said a draft report was being developed by a committee made up of the council’s staff and four residents.

“This has included a mail-out to all residents in (a) designated area seeking information on (their) traffic and road safety concerns,” Mr Cortes said.

“Once we have received community feedback regarding the draft, an updated plan will be provided to (the) council for consideration.”

The consultants’ report and draft plans can be read in full at prospect.sa.gov.au.

Comments can be sent to [e-mail] or PO Box 171 Prospect SA 5082.

Consultation closes on February 20.