Devonport adopts more sustainable road strategy
Devonport Council has voted for a more sustainable approach to transport planning with the adoption of the Road Network Strategy 2023–28.
The strategy focuses on improving safety, connections and reducing transport emissions by encouraging active transport and low emission vehicles.
Of the 22 actions recommended, the following could provide better conditions for bicycle use:
- Investigate and implement road safety opportunities in the CBD including traffic management, vulnerable road user facilities
- Investigate and implement road safety opportunities on arterial roads including modal/flow separation and, speed limit reduction
- Investigate and implement road safety opportunities around schools including traffic management and student programs
- Resolve modal conflict between heavy vehicles and bike riders on Wright Street as part of Quaylink/State Vehicle Entry Project
- Continue to pursue funding for Stony Rise Road path between Middle Road and Durkins Road
- Improve safety and connectivity of active transport routes and facilities
- Address network conflicts that include active transport modes
Burnie coastal pathway works out to tender!
Construction of the the coastal pathway from Burnie to Wynyard is getting closer to a start with Burnie Council issuing a tender for the job which closes on 7 July.
The council is aiming for work to start from September, but it will depend on the availability of the business that is awarded the tender.
Wynyard Council has not lodged a development application for its section of the pathway as it is still working through conservation issues with Parks but is planning on its section coming under the same tender.
And in other pathway news, Central Coast Mayor Cheryl Fuller has officially opened the Penguin to Sulphur Creek section along with one of the local instigators of the coastal pathway, Keith Price, Labor senator Anne Urquhart and local riders. At the opening, she committed to developing the missing link between West Ulverstone and Penguin.
Launceston agrees to drop speed limits
Launceston Council has agreed to ask the state government to drop speed limits on city centre streets to 40 km/h and some arterial streets to 50 km/h.
The new 40 km/h zones would include:
- Brisbane, Cameron, Charles, George, Paterson and St John streets and Kingsway, bordered by Wellington and Tamar streets and York and Cimitiere streets.
- Hobart Road in Kings Meadows between Riseley Street and Opossum Road.
- Invermay Road, Mowbray between Vermont Road and Haig Street.
Launceston mayoral race gets underway
Campaigning has started for the election of the next Launceston mayor, with five sitting councillors putting their hands up. Andrea Dawkins, Alan Harris, Matthew Garwood, Tim Walker and George Razay.
Bicycle Network has sent all the candidates the question: “If you are elected mayor what will you do to make it easier for more people to ride a bicycle in Launceston?” We'll publish their answers on Facebook and in the next issue of In the Loop.
Postal ballots will start arriving in letterboxes from 14 June and voting closes on 11 July at 2 pm.