Page 3826 - Week 10 - Thursday, 14 September 2017
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Transport Canberra and City Services—capital works program
(Question No 506)
Ms Le Couteur asked the Minister for Transport and City Services, upon notice, on 18 August 2017:
(1) Can the Minister clarify the Government’s policy on allowing the closure of footpaths and verges during (a) development and (b) capital works.
(2) How does the Government weigh up the impacts of closure on walking and cycling against the cost savings to developers.
(3) How does the Government ensure that closures for development do not result in no safe access along a street, e.g. if there are two developments approved on opposite sides of the one street.
Ms Fitzharris: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) Where it is safe and practical, it is the ACT Government’s policy is to keep roads, footpaths and verges open for public use while encouraging and supporting safe and efficient construction. All developers and contractors intending to use any part of the public road or a road related area, such as a footpath, must apply to Transport Canberra and City Services (TCCS) for the authorisation of a Temporary Traffic Management Plan (TTM).
(2) In considering footpath closures TCCS considers the following:
• Safety for workers and the general public with particular consideration given to the more vulnerable road users such as cyclists, pedestrians and the mobility and visually impaired;
• accessibility to essential goods and services is maintained for all road users;
• amenity to ensure minimisation of delays to traffic (including pedestrians and cyclists) and, where practical, maintain the most direct and convenient route between destinations;
• asset damage and the risk of damage to the Government assets including natural features such as landscaping and trees is minimised; and
• constructability through consideration of the time and cost associated with closures and impact on public and the project.
(3) TCCS manages the coordination of all temporary traffic management on all public unleased land for which the ACT Government is responsible. TCCS also facilitates coordination with relevant stakeholders.
Managing road closures is complex as the timing of developments and construction is subject to change. Where it is foreseeable that developments impacts will coincide, TCCS works with both developers to ensure safe and convenient road and footpath facilities are maintained.
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