15 July 2021
Safety concerns prompt one-way traffic trial for Acacia Avenue
Traffic congestion, safety concerns and a local petition has prompted Southern Downs Regional Council to approve a six-month trial of one-way traffic conditions on a busy section of Acacia Avenue between Percy and Wood Streets at yesterday’s Ordinary Meeting.
Last year during COVID-19 lockdown, St Mary’s Primary School designated the road as the student pick-up and drop-off point to accommodate social distancing restrictions, however the increase in local traffic in the area called for Council to review the traffic conditions, with safety of road users and local residents a priority.
In supporting the motion today, Southern Downs Councillor Andrew Gale hoped that the trial would lead to the safest outcome for all parties.
“There are a number of stakeholders invested in this issue and in coming to this decision, Council reviewed the feedback from those concerned and impacted,” Councillor Gale said.
“The safety of the community, residents and road users will always come first and Council holds the responsibility of protecting the community’s safety in the highest regard.
“I certainly support to motion to trial one-way traffic arrangements on Acacia Avenue to manage the current congestion.
“The lane ways have always been a concern for me and this decision is a sensible one that place safety front and centre on the agenda.”
Much of the current issues surrounding Acacia Avenue traffic flow stem from the history of the town’s lane ways which were originally purposed for night soil lanes and designed as narrow.
“The lane ways were never intended for high volumes of traffic and we will review the use of lane ways more broadly across the region in time,” Councillor Gale said.
Council received a petition signed by each of the residents along the western frontage of Acacia Avenue between Percy and Woods Streets at its Ordinary Meeting in June 2021, after which a review the situation was requested.
Traffic conditions will need to be finalised with the school and Catholic Church prior to implementation, with consideration given to the effects of the change on their operations.