cfsmtb in low earth orbit

Tuesday, September 14, 2004

Warrnambool - New cycle paths around corner

Work to make two new cycling paths for commuter and recreation use on busy Warrnambool roads is scheduled to begin within the next three weeks. The construction, funded through VicRoads at a cost of $19,400, comes as the State Government announced $27,000 to help Warrnambool City Council implement its new cycling project dubbed the Cycle-able Warrnambool project. A spokeswoman for the council said one path would run along Koroit Street linking Henna and Giffen Streets and into Walsh Road in the industrial estate. The other path would run 1.1km in each direction along Ardlie Street. The paths are included in the city's new bicycle plan which aims to provide a network of inter-inking cycle-ways.

Death leads to safer routes
The safety of cycling routes in the Warrnambool area will be improved in the wake of a fatal training accident. Moyne Shire and VicRoads are investigating options to improve training routes in the Warrnambool-Wangoom and Port Fairy areas. The move follows the recent death of Warrnambool cyclist Michael Kenneally in a training ride collision with a car on the Cobden Road near Naringal. Cyclists have been asked to identify their preferred training routes and highlight ways to improve their safety.

Slower speeds not enough
Slower speed limits in Warrnambool's main street would not be supported by VicRoads unless a median strip or other devices like speed humps were added, a new city council report said. Warrnambool councillors will tonight consider a report which recommends further investigations be undertaken into how a limit slower than 50kmh can be introduced in the central business district. The report comes after the Warrnambool-Moyne Local Safety Committee last month recommended the existing limit be lowered. However, the report to tonight's meeting said VicRoads was broadly supportive of slower speeds providing appropriate traffic calming devices were added. It said the devices suggested by VicRoads included median strips, single-lane approaches at intersections, speed humps and pavement markings.