The final traffic management plan for Shepparton’s inner north is set to be adopted by Greater Shepparton City Council, after changes based on community consultation late last year.
The Shepparton Inner North Local Area Traffic Management Plan was developed after the opening of Greater Shepparton Secondary College to understand the impact of the school on the local road network and mitigate traffic, pedestrian and parking concerns.
The council received 47 submissions on the draft plan during the consultation period in late 2022 and the final plan is coming back before council for adoption at its February 21 meeting.
Changes proposed from the community feedback include adjustments to pedestrian treatments at intersections, modified parking restrictions at the Knight and Skene Sts intersection, improved cycling and pedestrian connectivity along Balaclava Rd between Bourchier St and Numurkah Rd, and speed controls on Bourchier St and Barker Ave.
It also recommends investigating parking restrictions adjacent to Notre Dame College and St Brendan’s Primary School, and along Wyndham St.
The final traffic plan involves 39 recommendations to address traffic, parking and safety concerns in the inner north area.
The recommendations were informed by site observations, data collection on traffic volumes, speed and parking, crash history and community feedback.
For example, between 2015 and 2020 car crashes have been recorded on Rea St at the Maude St, Orr St and Clive St cross-intersections.
At the Maude St intersection in particular, there were five crashes, with three resulting in serious injury.
As a result, the traffic plan recommends introducing three compact roundabouts at the Maude St, Orr St and Clive St intersections, as well as speed control devices along the street.
Speed control devices have also been recommended along Maude St, Orr St, Clive St and Dunrobin St.
The area considered in the plan is roughly bordered by Wyndham St, Nixon St, Balaclava Rd, Hawdon St and Glenn St.
Key recommendations from the plan are expected to be implemented from early this year.