Loch St speeders will be cushioned

Speeding motorists in Loch St, Yarragon are set to be slowed down with the installation of speed cushions.

After receiving a petition from residents calling for traffic slowing measures, analysis of traffic using Loch St showed some motorists were travelling at more than double the 40 km/hour speed limit.

The petition, signed by 64 people raised concerns about the safety of students outside Yarragon Primary School.

The speed cushions will be installed between Market St and Rodier Rd.

Traffic counts in March collected data on the volume and speed of traffic over a seven day period.

The results indicated an 85 percentile speed of 51 km/hour between Rodier Rd and Market St.

Cr Michael Leaney said the fastest speed along the road was clocked at 88.4 km/hour.

He said the high speed was recorded at 10pm but it still showed people’s habits in speeding.

He said the data showed the only time the median speed dropped to 40 km/hour was at 3pm during school pick-up time.

“Overwhelmingly people are speeding. This is a good example of a petition creating a positive result for the community,” he said.

In a report to council, officers said given the road had a permanent 40 km/hour limit, Department of Transport guidelines did not support the use of flashing speed signs.

As an interim measure, officers installed illuminated variable messaging signs to promote road safety in Loch Street to assist in deterring speeding drivers.

The anticipated cost to install traffic calming cushions is about $12,000.

Cr Peter Kostos said while nobody liked speed cushions, they did work.

He said Loch St was a wide road pavement so it was natural that people would put their foot down and go fast.

Cr Kostos said the state government did not have a policy for car parking in schools which meant a lot of cars parked on Loch St in the morning and afternoon during school drop off and pick up times.

He said it was important to slow the traffic down during these busy times and he hoped the speed cushions would reduce the potential for accidents.

Cr Darren Wallace said there was nothing more important than the safety of children.

He said the majority of traffic using Loch St was local traffic.

“So this is locals not giving a stuff about their own, which is a little alarming.

“Hopefully the installation of these speed cushions will make it safer for everyone,” he said.