By Luke Voogt
Speed limits will reduce from 60 to 50 kilometres per hour on six “key” roads in Corio, Norlane and South Geelong, council has announced.
Council will reduce speeds on Purnell, Donnybrook and Princess roads in Corio, Sparks Road, Norlane, and Kilgour and Yarra streets in South Geelong.
“Council is dedicated to making our roads safer for all users and reducing the severity of road trauma in the region,” Geelong mayor Stephanie Asher said.
The speed limit changes will take effect before the end of June and are part of a suite of major local safety improvements.
The improvements include new roundabouts, traffic islands, bicycle lanes, speed humps, raised intersections and pedestrian crossings.
City Hall has been carrying out more than $4 million worth of road treatment upgrades, under state government’s Safe Travel in Local Streets program.
The TAC-funded program aims to increase pedestrian and road-user safety and reduce the number of people injured on local roads.
Council officers worked with Regional Roads Victoria to design works for completion in 2020/21.
“We’re grateful for the significant funding as it has allowed us to target these high-risk areas with a wide range of safety measures,” Cr Asher said.
All proposed projects received “majority community support”, according to City Hall.
Through community consultation on improving pedestrian and road-user safety, City Hall received 334 completed surveys on the roads in Corio and Norlane and another 394 for the South Geelong streets.
“A big thanks to the residents who provided feedback during the consultation process, helping us to tailor improvements with the benefit of local knowledge,” Cr Asher said.
The six roads will continue to have a 40km/h speed limit in school zones during designated periods.
