A petition is calling for a crossing on Gateway Road.
A COMMUNITY push for safer pedestrian crossings on Warrnambool’s busy Gateway Road has triggered discussions by the city council, police and VicRoads to achieve the goals.
City councillors were told Monday night that new traffic and speed statistics would be gathered soon to provide accurate data supporting the case for a new crossing to suit pedestrians with disabilities, upgrading the existing crossing and a 40 kilometres-an-hour speed limit.
City infrastructure manager Peter Robertson said he hoped to seek approval in the next few months.
“There are clear guidelines we have to meet,” he said.
“VicRoads has the ultimate say, but we think with the appropriate data on Gateway Road we can achieve the objectives.
“We had a good meeting with VicRoads and police who were very supportive.”
His report showed a zebra crossing with or without lights would be the most appropriate.
The most recent data collected in March showed 1822 vehicles a day used the road near the entrances to Gateway Plaza and the Dan Murphy’s-Woolworths supermarket precinct with most travelling at 56km/h.
Council checks also showed an existing pedestrian crossing on a turning lane at the intersection of Gateway Road and Raglan Parade needed attention.
“Council has made application to VicRoads for approval to install a zebra crossing without lights on the service road, south side, outside the access path to Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School,” Mr Robertson reported.
Last month a petition with 180 signatures was presented to the council calling for the crossing upgrades and lower speed limit.
Mayor Jacinta Ermacora this week said the petitioners could look forward to a positive outcome.