Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (12:24): (1511) My constituency question is for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety. Safe Access over Bell Street Bridge for Everyone, SABBE, is a community group of school parents who are concerned about the longstanding safety issues in the Bell Street risk zone at the intersections of Bell, Elizabeth and Nicholson streets at the border of Coburg and Preston.
In the last week there have been three serious traffic accidents in the area. Pedestrians, including a large number of Coburg High School kids, are at risk every day on and around the Bell Street bridge.
Shockingly, the Bell Street bridge over Merri Creek does not meet Australian safety standards. My community would like a plan for this to be rectified. Can the minister please tell us what that plan is?
Fiona Patten MP
Leader of Reason
Member for Northern Metropolitan Region
Constituency question 16/11/21
Answer
Thank you for sharing the community’s concerns regarding pedestrian safety on Bell Street at the bridge over Merri Creek.
Understanding the experiences of our communities is important. Earlier this year the Department of Transport (DoT) met with representatives from the City of Moreland, City of Darebin, Coburg High School, and several other community members including from the Safe Access over Bell Street Bridge for Everyone (SABBE) group. The feedback covered issues related to the safety of people who walk over the bridge and at nearby intersections on Bell Street at Nicholson Street and Elizabeth Street.
A safe transport network with options for people to move around is important. DoT has advised that, together with its road safety partners including Victoria Police and local councils, this area is monitored for safety trends. Combined with community feedback (including from groups like SABBE) this helps to prioritise future investigations.
To create a safer environment for everyone, in 2015 the Bell Street speed limit was lowered between Alva Grove in Coburg and Waterdale Road in Heidelberg West from 70km/h to 60km/h. This created a consistent speed limit along Bell Street, including through the intersections at Nicholson Street and Elizabeth Street. Councils are engaging on improvements to the nearby Harding Street pedestrian bridge over the Merri Creek south of Bell Street, which along with the bridge at Connolly Avenue to the north, may be a suitable option for some people.
While further work is being considered, I have asked DoT to provide regular updates on this location and look forward to working with you and the community to support safety.
The Hon Ben Carroll MP
Minister for Public Transport
Minister for Roads and Road Safety
