Page 1876 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 2 May 2012
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address our safety concerns. Our current process applies a priority assessment process that ensures the highest priority safety measures are implemented.
I note that Ms Bresnan has circulated an amendment that includes Clift Crescent. Being a resident of Chisholm I use both Clift Crescent and Coyne Street on a regular basis and, whilst I have not been involved in an accident, certainly I am aware from talking with many people that Clift Crescent in particular does seem to have a bit of a history of poor driving practice.
I think it is worth noting that traffic calming measures are an important part of overall road safety, but responsible driving at the end of the day is the key to road safety in any community. Whilst we can design and engineer the safest roads, it is most unfortunate that some within our community are bent on irresponsible driving, causing danger and a level of despair to the broader community. I understand Ms Bresnan’s amendments have been circulated, and the government will support those amendments.
MR SMYTH (Brindabella) (5.50): I actually saw one of the accidents that I suspect prompted the constituent to write to members about safety on Coyne Street. Like Mr Seselja, I come through that street every morning. I drop my son off to school at Holy Family, and Coyne Street is the route of choice then to get to the Monaro Highway. At times it is a very, very busy street, and it is not just at peak hour; it is not just school hours on Monday to Friday.
At the other end of Coyne Street you have also got the mmpowerdome, which is a fantastic facility but a lot of people use it and there is a lot of coming and going, and next door to it of course you have got the Macarthur scout hall. So it is a very busy street and it is a street that has a dubious record. You often go past and see mangled signs, mangled trees or excess bits of cars lying on the street.
But I suspect that members have not read the report on the Ashley Drive, Monash road network upgrade feasibility study that is on the ACT government TAMS website. I bring this report to people’s attention. It was mentioned in debate on the approp bill yesterday that what it recommends is:
… that a further detailed traffic study be undertaken to examine the traffic generating characteristics of Gowrie, Fadden and Macarthur, and assess route choice and alternative routes in the area. This would permit further development and implementation of the most appropriate treatment(s).
The primary alternative route that this report talks about is Coyne Street. There is also Kellett Street, which links Bugden Avenue to Isabella Drive, and of course if you follow Bugden Avenue around you can come off at Statton Street on to Ashley or you can come off Bugden Avenue itself on to Ashley. But the majority of people, if they are not going to go up Erindale Drive, are already heading for the Monaro Highway, and if the traffic arrangements that the government is putting in place modify behaviour, particularly in getting out of Bugden Avenue, then people who currently travel west on Bugden Avenue to get to Erindale Drive will now go east to go to the Monaro Highway, and they will take Coyne Street. It is as simple as that. It is the alternative route.
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