Hon. Tom Stephens questions the Minister for Transport regarding the road safety assessment of a property access point near Loftus and Newcastle streets. The Minister details the assessment process involving Main Roads and independent experts, highlighting considerations for managing safety concerns.

AnsweredQoN 139Legislative Council
Asked
8 August 2000
Portfolio
Transport

QuestionView source ↗

(1) Can the Minister detail which road safety experts considered the safety provisions were adequate ? (2) How did they reach their conclusion? Answered on 18 October 2000 The Minister

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
18 October 2000
Response time
71 days
(1) - (2) The assessment, which was conducted by the Traffic and Safety Branch of Main Roads, was undertaken on the basis that Council could attach subsequent conditions to its approval in order to provide for access to the site. This would be considered in conjunction with any Main Roads' requirements and improvement solutions because of the proximity of their traffic signals at Loftus and Newcastle. It must be appreciated that every property access has some degree of safety, some safer than others. For the above reasons this particular location warranted further consideration because it failed to fully comply with road safety standards. Main Roads believed that both Council and Main Roads safety issues could be managed through other means which may include consideration of gradients, visibility, mirrors, shared access, sensors, truncations, modifying retaining walls etc. Under law, Council cannot refuse access, but despite this Council has decided not to support access. Obviously there are degrees of safety applying to different sites and there remain concerns about this site being in need of further consideration to make it as safe as possible because it is a corner site adjacent to a very busy intersection. Because of this Main Roads engaged independent safety audit experts that have subsequently confirmed satisfactory access from Newcastle Street to the property can be achieved.
(2) How did they reach their conclusion? Answered on 18 October 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) - (2) The assessment, which was conducted by the Traffic and Safety Branch of Main Roads, was undertaken on the basis that Council could attach subsequent conditions to its approval in order to provide for access to the site. This would be considered in conjunction with any Main Roads' requirements and improvement solutions because of the proximity of their traffic signals at Loftus and Newcastle. It must be appreciated that every property access has some degree of safety, some safer than others. For the above reasons this particular location warranted further consideration because it failed to fully comply with road safety standards. Main Roads believed that both Council and Main Roads safety issues could be managed through other means which may include consideration of gradients, visibility, mirrors, shared access, sensors, truncations, modifying retaining walls etc. Under law, Council cannot refuse access, but despite this Council has decided not to support access. Obviously there are degrees of safety applying to different sites and there remain concerns about this site being in need of further consideration to make it as safe as possible because it is a corner site adjacent to a very busy intersection. Because of this Main Roads engaged independent safety audit experts that have subsequently confirmed satisfactory access from Newcastle Street to the property can be achieved.
Answered on 18 October 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) - (2) The assessment, which was conducted by the Traffic and Safety Branch of Main Roads, was undertaken on the basis that Council could attach subsequent conditions to its approval in order to provide for access to the site. This would be considered in conjunction with any Main Roads' requirements and improvement solutions because of the proximity of their traffic signals at Loftus and Newcastle. It must be appreciated that every property access has some degree of safety, some safer than others. For the above reasons this particular location warranted further consideration because it failed to fully comply with road safety standards. Main Roads believed that both Council and Main Roads safety issues could be managed through other means which may include consideration of gradients, visibility, mirrors, shared access, sensors, truncations, modifying retaining walls etc. Under law, Council cannot refuse access, but despite this Council has decided not to support access. Obviously there are degrees of safety applying to different sites and there remain concerns about this site being in need of further consideration to make it as safe as possible because it is a corner site adjacent to a very busy intersection. Because of this Main Roads engaged independent safety audit experts that have subsequently confirmed satisfactory access from Newcastle Street to the property can be achieved.

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