Brisbane CBD Speed Reduction program

[ozbob]

http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/BCC:BASE:1631437007:pc=PC_5145

CBD Speed Reduction program

Following community consultation and support, Brisbane City Council has approved the proposal to reduce the speed limit in Brisbane's Central Business District (CBD) from 50 km/h to 40km/h. 

Council thanks everyone who provided feedback about the proposal.
Program background

As part of a review of pedestrian safety, Council undertook community consultation from mid-November 2008 to mid-January 2009 to reduce speed limits in the CBD from 50km/h to 40km/h.

The proposal was developed to increase safety for:

    * pedestrians
    * cyclists
    * motorists
    * public transport users

The reduction in traffic speeds aims to:

    * encourage walking, cycling and public transport use
    * improve the vibrancy of the city with safer, more pleasant accessibility to key city destinations
    * improve CBD trade

The proposal is part of Council?s vision for the CBD under the City Centre Master Plan 2006 as a more pedestrian and cycle friendly environment. It is also a way Council is keeping Brisbane active and healthy.
Program features

The program area covers all streets in the CBD:

    * between Ann Street and Alice Street, including Alice Street
    * between North Quay and Boundary Street, including North Quay
    * George Street, including the section between Roma Street and Ann Street
    * Roma Street, Tank Street, Herschel Street and Makerston Street

The below map identifies the streets within the proposed area. Every intersection within this area will have 40km/h signs installed. Ann and Turbot Streets will remain at 60km/h to provide an efficient through traffic route.

Timeframe

Signage will be installed over the Easter weekend, with the reduced speed limit commencing Tuesday, 14 April 2009.

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Brisbane's inner city speeds to slow to 40km

Brisbane's inner city speeds to slow to 40km
Tony Moore
April 8, 2009 - 5:05PM

Brisbane's inner-city streets will have a maximum 40kmh speed limit from the Tuesday after the Easter weekend, Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said, after drilling the first of 170, 40kmh speed signs into place.

Clambering up a ladder, he put up the first sign on Adelaide Street, before suggesting it was up to police to set up the checks on motorists.

Four people have been killed among the 524 accidents reported in the CBD between 2001 and 2006.

As step one to improve safety in he inner city, speeds will be dropped from 50 kmh to 40kmh on all inner-city streets except Turbot and Ann Streets.

Cr Newman said the change had to come into place because Brisbane was going to have more pedestrians and more bikes in the inner city in the future.

"This is about making the CBD a safer environment for everybody who uses it," Cr Newman said.

"Particularly it re-inforces Council's position that the CBD is primarily for cyclists and pedestrians," he said.

"We don't want to discourage anyone with a private vehicle from coming in, but we need a calmer, safer traffic environment so that people can around their business in safety."

Recent reports show Brisbane's CBD employment will jump from 140,000 to 215,000 by 2026, while 2000 bikes will be introduced to the inner-city next year under Australia's first bike hire scheme.

Almost 70 per cent of  people surveyed by Brisbane City Council about the introduction of lower speed limits back the change.
Queensland Police last year said they welcomed lower speed limits in the central city.

They have yet to announce how they intend to monitor the lower speeds in the Brisbane CBD.

[wbj]

I have never seen a speed camera or radar gun in the CBD. Will they suddenly appear to enforce the new lower speed limit?

[Otto]

I have seen radar guns used in Alice Street. I beleive speed cameras can only be used on roads that have a limit of 60 or above. This was an agreement made when speed cameras were first commisioned. This would rule them out of use in the CBD (except Ann and Turbot sts) , but radar guns can be used anywhere.