USQ backs parking changes

THE executive director of campus services at the University of Southern Queensland has responded to suggestions that Baker St roadworks will dramatically restrict car parking around the university.

Dr Dave Povey said Toowoomba Regional Council’s plans to realign Baker St, which runs parallel to the university, would improve car and pedestrian road safety conditions and not impact on campus parking arrangements.

Earlier this week The Chronicle reported the roadworks would change the traffic situation around the university and affect students, parents and school children in the area with the removal of on-street parking and the closure of a Baker St bus stop.

Dr Povey said that across the campus there were more than 1700 car parks many of which were not taken up during the day.

“Other than large events... there are always parking spaces available with probably around 60% of our parking used each day.

“To take a dozen or so car parks out of Baker St, and replacing them with what will be a safer and better road solution for our growing staff and student numbers can only be a good thing,

“Over the years there has been a number of near misses on Baker St as drivers have found it hard to see pedestrians crossing the road, particularly at night.

“We also have increasing numbers of staff and students riding bicycles to campus and community groups using our adjacent ovals and recreation facilities and as such road safety is paramount to both USQ and TRC,” he said.

He said any loss of on-street parking and shifting a bus stop might inconvenience some but public safety came first.