Plan to change Melbourne’s ‘Little’ streets to favour pedestrians, cyclists

A radical plan will change the look of Melbourne’s “little” city streets forever. The overhaul would see 20 Bourke St Malls worth of public road and parking space devoted to people, cyclists and traders.

Flinders Lane would be one of the streets that would see changes.

CBD motorists face a 30km/h speed limit, reduction of car lanes and more expensive on-street parking in peak times under a radical overhaul of inner city transport flows proposed by the City of Melbourne.

Pedestrians and bicycle users will be given priority as the council aims to stop vehicles using the city to get to other destinations.

Under the Draft Transport Strategy 2030, the equivalent of 20 Bourke St Malls worth of public road and on-street parking spaces will be redirected to pedestrians, cyclists, greening and trading.

So-called “little” streets like Flinders Lane, Lt Collins and Lt Bourke streets will be made more pedestrian-friendly with more space for people, lower vehicle speed limits and closures during certain times reflecting high walking use.

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An artist’s impression of what could be implemented on a "Little" Street.

The council seeks to create more than 50km of protected on-road bike lanes on key routes and provide 300 extra motorcycle parking bays as alternatives to parking on footpaths.

It will urge the state government to consider changing road rules to allow cyclists to turn left into a bicycle lane at red lights.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said that while the aim was more space for pedestrians, the council recognised there would always be a place for essential car trips in town.

“I understand that travelling into the city by car is the only option for some people,” she said.

“We will continue to welcome drivers whose destination is the central city including tradies, delivery vehicles, emergency services and people with a disability.”

“We know that 43 per cent of cars in the Hoddle Grid are passing through the city, adding to congestion.”

But transport minister Jacinta Allan said the government wouldn’t support a blanket 30km/h limit on the streets of the City of Melbourne.

“I appreciate the City of Melbourne want to find the best way pedestrians can move around the city,” she said.

She said they need to “keep the city moving” while big projects like Metro Tunnel and West Gate Tunnel are delivered.

Cr Capp said they were constantly engaged in conversations with the state government on such issues.

“There are often times where we don’t agree, but the basis of the discussions we have are very much about how do we keep making this city better,” she said.

Pedestrians, cyclists and traders would take priority on the streets under the new plan.

RACV spokesman Peter Kartsidimas said the organisation welcomed the move to increase pedestrian safety in the CBD.

“Some of our smaller streets are already closed to traffic at certain times of the day, however a lot more consultation is required with the public and business owners,” he said.

“Pedestrian numbers are growing across the city and there are many problems that can be fixed now, particularly removing clutter from footpaths such as business signs, utility boxes and delivery motorcycles which should create more space.”

The Lord Mayor said: “We know that a 10 per cent increase in pedestrian connectivity can deliver an extra $2.1 billion to Melbourne’s businesses.

“At the moment, 89 per cent of all trips in the central city are on foot and walkers face increasingly overcrowded footpaths.”

Under the draft plan to be considered by a council meeting on Tuesday, the council aims for every Hoddle Grid street, except King St, to have a maximum single traffic lane each way.

The plan also has actions to improve safety by reducing overcrowding at tram stops, busy intersections and around major train station precincts at Elizabeth St, Flinders St and Southern Cross Station.

A trial will be held to reduce the current 40km/h speed limit in the CBD to 30km/h, with the council arguing this could increase the chance of a pedestrian surviving a crash to 90 per cent.

The council will improve on-street parking access by charging higher prices in busy periods, while streets with high parking demand will attract fees on Sundays and have extended paid times during the day.

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@JMasanauskas