By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
A BOLD community proposal seeks the “regeneration” of Drysdale’s main street.
Drysdale Clifton Springs Community Association wants High St between its two town-centre roundabouts converted into a shared space for cars, pedestrians and cycles.
The association modelled its plan on a dramatic change to the formerly traffic-snarled UK village of Poynton, said secretary Neil McGuiness.
The proposal should be considered once a proposed Drysdale bypass had reduced the street’s through-traffic, he said.
“The association believes it would create a more-welcoming environment for both vehicles and pedestrians, creating a compatible space for both.
“The nearest we have to it at the moment is the Ocean Grove retail precinct where cars move through slowly and there are a number of areas where pedestrians can cross safely.
“But the vision we have for High St would take that concept even further.”
VicRoads will this month seek residents’ input on potential improvements to High St as part of community consultations over the proposed bypass.
VicRoads will host drop-in consultation sessions in April, displaying latest plans and options for the bypass.
Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville said the $109 million project would reduce congestion and noise while increasing safety and parking on High St.
The bypass would provide an alternative, more-efficient route for trucks, keeping more of them out of the town’s centre .
Ms Neville said VicRoads’ engineers were investigating potential impacts on the environment and completing a range of other studies on cultural heritage, social, economic, land use planning, ecology and traffic impacts.
“These community consultation sessions are the first of many opportunities for residents to see the latest plans and options, speak directly with VicRoads experts and provide real input into the features of the bypass.
“I urge locals to provide their feedback including improvements to High St and intersections into and around the town to ensure the project delivers what our community needs.”
VicRoads will run the consultation sessions from 3pm 15 April at Springdale Neighbourhood House and 3.30pm 22 April at Portarlington Neighbourhood House.
