Southbank promenade to be revamped to provide better space for pedestrians

Pedestrian safety will be the focus of an extensive overhaul of the Southbank promenade, which will extend use of the space to the Yarra River’s edge. See the new measures that’ll force speeding cyclists to hit the brakes.

Speeding cyclists will be forced to hit the brakes in an extensive overhaul of Southbank which will extend use of the promenade to the Yarra River’s edge.

The revamp — revealed exclusively to the Sunday Herald Sun — will boost pedestrian safety using trees and seating to deter clashes with cyclists.

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The well-known Dervish twisted metal sculpture will also be moved in favour of more green space.

Pedestrian safety will be boosted with the use of more trees and seating. Picture: supplied.

A study of cyclist speeds revealed nine in 10 riders approaching the area from Princes Bridge travelled faster than 15km/h despite the promenade’s 10km/h limit.

Melbourne City Council experts have trialled digital signs and permanent markers to slow riders down but the tests found these had no impact on speeds recorded.

Pedestrians and cyclists have been known to clash in the area during peak times and the council regularly deals with complaints about collisions.

But new plans for the 300m stretch of land show a $5.1 million upgrade will make the space more pedestrian friendly and better use the space next to the river.

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Lord Mayor Sally Capp said she wanted to transform the promenade into a riverside park.

“We will replace the concrete paving with new bluestones, improve public lighting to increase community safety, and install new seats and garden beds,” she said.

“We will plant 29 new trees with better access to soil and water to increase the canopy cover.

Stairs and ramps will be altered to encourage more people to walk right up to the riverbank and the Dervish sculpture will be relocated to the terrace closer to Hamer Hall.

Councillor Nicholas Reece, deputy chair of the city’s major projects portfolio, said the changes would still let recreational cyclists travel through the area at slower speeds.

“We want to reduce conflicts between cyclists and pedestrians by creating a slow zone on the promenade and moving as many commuter cyclists as possible to an alternative route on Southbank Boulevard, which will feature 1km of separated bicycle lanes,” he said.

“We want to prioritise the river banks as a destination rather than a through route.

“I’m a regular cyclist at Southbank Promenade and like everyone else I’ll be slowing down to take in the wonderful city views.”

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@KieranRooneyCM