Background
Huon Valley Council, the Department of State Growth and the Cygnet community have been working together on road safety improvements for Mary Street Cygnet.
A primary discussion point has been pedestrian safety within the shopping precinct of Mary Street, with many pedestrians feeling vulnerable crossing the road due to lack of formal crossings and the speed of vehicles.
It has been raised by a number of community members and supported by The Cygnet Association at a meeting they held in November 2023, that a reduction of the speed limit from 50km/h to 40km/h will have a significant effect on pedestrian safety, but with limited impact of only seconds of increased travel time.
Speed Reduction
In October 2024, the Commissioner for Transport approved a speed limit reduction on a 600-metre section of Mary Street, Cygnet, through the town’s main shopping precinct. The speed limit has been lowered from 50km/h to 40km/h, extending from just south of Garthfield Avenue to the roundabout at Charlton Street.
Wombat (pedestrian) Crossing
In conjunction with the speed reduction, Council has successfully obtained a Vulnerable Road Users grant to install a wombat crossing in the Cygnet town centre, further improving safety for vulnerable road users and pedestrians.
A wombat crossing is a pedestrian (zebra) crossing on a raised platform, typically at the same level as the surrounding footpath. Wombat crossings give priority to pedestrians and are more accessible for people with mobility issues. They also slow vehicle speeds, enhance pedestrian safety, and reduce vehicle accidents.
The wombat crossing will be located in front of the Town Hall.
Works will commence in early March and are expected to take approximately two weeks, including some night works to minimise traffic disruptions.
** the feature image used in this post is part of the Huon Valley Community Vision ‘Getting around’
Mary St Wombat Crossing FAQ
What is a wombat crossing?
A wombat crossing is the name given to a pedestrian (zebra) crossing that is placed on a flat top road hump.
What are the safety benefits of a wombat crossing?
- Gives priority to pedestrians crossing the road.
- The raised platform reduces vehicle speed, similar to a speed hump.
- Line marking, signage, and the raised platform improve visibility for drivers.
- The raised platform allows pedestrians to cross at the same level as the footpath, reducing trip hazards and making it easier for people with reduced mobility and children to navigate.
Why does Mary Street need a wombat crossing?
Pedestrian safety has been an ongoing community concern within the Mary Street shopping precinct.
In conjunction with the recent speed reduction (from 50km/h to 40km/h), the Department of State Growth (DSG), as the responsible authority for Mary Street, approved the installation of a wombat crossing.
Wombat crossings are commonly used in high-activity areas such as schools, shopping centres, and transport precincts, as they provide significant safety benefits and are superior to traditional non-raised crossings.
How will it impact parking?
While Council has worked to minimise parking loss in the design, three on-street parking spaces will need to be permanently removed to provide safe sight distances for oncoming vehicles.
There will also be a temporary loss of parking in the work zone during construction.
