Thames Promenade traffic safety improvements

Hi, Just thought I'd give my points of view on the above projects. Firstly I'm a resident here for over 12 years now and have experienced many changes in the area. Regarding the above the traffic safety upgrades, I'm in total agreement that these should be implemented. But, I can see one major knock-on issue and this is Embankment Grove will suffer. Major issue is the increase of traffic flow diversion and placing more strain to residents in this street. Embankment grove is already subjected to increasing traffic in the mornings and evenings. This involves the speeding motorists travelling to and from work, far exceeding the 50 kph rule. You maybe shocked to learn there are absolutely no methods of slowing traffic down from a straight section of 1.2km, none whatsoever. To fully supplement the whole area and make it more safe to the local residents, I feel strongly that Embankment grove needs traffic safety, which includes parameters such as speed reducing, limit large and noisy vehicle access, add street crossing fixtures for residents. Other issues are that Embankment grove has are low slung NBN power and Telephone lines which are damaged by the increase use of previously mentioned very large vehicles. I and others have suffered days of no NBN and communication with outside world. These are just a few instances that duly need considering by Kingston City Council in collaboration with Thames promenade upgrades, Thankyou for your time.

As a local and daily/frequent traveller along Scotch Parade I think traffic lights are unnecessary and will cause traffic to queue unnecessarily. It is an awkward intersection but a mini roundabout would make it easier for drivers to navigate around without imposing traffic light queues on locals who already have to navigate up to seven speed humps to commence any journey. Also traffic lights malfunction and need electrical maintenance whereas roundabouts require a lot less maintenance, must be cheaper to install and are less intrusive to the neighbourhood. Plus we already have one on Thames Promenade so they are familiar to the local driving environment.

extra parking around Chelsea Heights Primary School is needed however as a Thames Prom resident, I do not want to see traffic stretched back even further due to congestion. There are already days where it can take me 10 mins to get out of my driveway (on the bend near scotch parade, which is already a nightmare) and to wells Rd. improved traffic flow is a great concern.

I think that considering how busy it is at the skate park, the upgrade should focus on the scotch parade/Thames intersection. Traffic lights with pedestrian crossing would be safest.

The area in front of thams shops does indeed need a crossing but I suggest one like Beaumaris shops. A zebra crossing with flashing lights and not traffic lights unless necessary. That area already gets too congested due to the school.

As for the speed limit. To reduce would push traffic down Edithvale road and congest that area further. The road is big enough and with enough space for motorists to drive 60kmph. Honestly people already drive 50kmph because their lack of road knowledge so to drop to 50 would indefinitely cause these elderly drivers to go 40kmph causing headache for other road uses. Leave the speed 60kmph!!!

I recommend that a similar study be undertaken around the Chelsea Station area on Station Street including reduction in the speed limit and improvement in how pedestrian and vehicle traffic is managed around the area adjacent to the station and bus stops

Project 4- I support this proposed safety upgrade. Often many locals -myself included - are trying to dash across the two lanes of traffic to make use of the local shops. While the median stripe has helped a lot I believe a crossing with flashing lights is needed. Often people coming from the park area are on bikes, or we see mums and dads with small children in pushers, walking dogs, on scooters etc all trying to navigate one half of the road then huddle in the median strip area before crossing the next road. I believe a dedicated crossing would make this much easier and safer for all. By increasing safety you may encourage locals to make use of local shopping strips ( and get them out of their cars I hope) which in my opinion is a terrific initiative. Well done City of Kingston for this public review opportunity.

Thanks City of Kingston - very happy to see proposed changes for public review!

Project 2 – support the design as proposed. A key consideration from my perspective is making improvements to pedestrian crossings, which aligns with the aspirations for wellbeing and safety in Council’s key policies. I have a young family and we currently have trouble crossing from the Chelsea residential areas to the north west of the Thames Promenade/Scotch Parade intersection to Bicentennial park. We have to significantly extend our walking route further down Thames Promenade towards Chelsea Heights in order to cross at the safest point, where there is still only a small traffic island for refuge (insufficient when walking with a double pram) and no zebra crossing. Therefore the signalised pedestrian crossing proposals at this intersection, the most convenient crossing point for pedestrian traffic coming from the north and north-west towards the parkland, are very much welcome.

Do not support project 3 – reduction in speed along Thames Promenade is unnecessary. In my opinion intersection improvements should sufficiently address the concerns around speed and safety at the Thames Promenade / Scotch Parade corner.

Great work city of Kingston!

Project 2 - the intersection at Thames Prom and Scotch Pde is sorely needed to improve pedestrian and traffic safety. I support the addition of the signalised pedestrian crossing & traffic signals. A roundabout would not be suitable as it primarily caters more to traffic than pedestrians - the most important part to implement is the signalised pedestrian crossing and traffic signals as required – a zebra crossing is too passive and signals is definitely warranted.

Project 3: I definitely do not see a need for a speed reduction along Thames Prom. The road width and geometry are completely safe to remain as a 60kph zone & it would not make sense to have a large safe route like Thames Prom at 50kph while adjoining Station St and Wells Rd remain at 60kph.

I support these projects as anything to improve pedestrian safety along Thames Promenade is great. I think cyclist safety also needs to be considered too as the bike lane along Thames Promenade is really laughable.

Project 3 - very big NO! This is arterial road and the only direct exit from Chelsea towards Wells Road and Frankston Freeway, don't make it even harder.

We too are happy with the increased safety of our local zone, however as per some other users here, please consider:
1) a roundabout for that corner instead of a raised platform
2) more importantly, consider slow down mechanisms for outside the Chelsea Heights Community Centre (i.e. speed bumps) , it is a dangerous corner and bend. Please help.

Well done City of Kingston! Great to see you are putting the safety of pedestrians first. Encouraging active transport, particularly for our children so they can walk, ride, skate and scoot to school is vital to the health and wellbeing of our community. This work has very strong links to City of Kingston’s Public Health & Wellbeing Plan which is very much about safety and increasing physical activity. I am very supportive of each project.
Project 1 - makes sense
Project 2 - brilliant! The best possible treatment has been proposed. This will make the intersection much safer and increases the number of people walking and cycling to the park.
Project 3 - very supportive once again. Lowering speeds is crucial to a safer environment. I believe City of Yarra now have 40km streets. Higher population there obviously but I think 40km per hour should even be considered on Thames.
Project 4 - supportive but would like to see this as a raised zebra crossing.
Project 5 - supportive for a crossing here but this most definitely should be raised given the number of children crossing over to the park.

Well done on this excellent proposal. Looking forward to seeing the works being delivered. It would also be great to see some evaluation with before and after pedestrian/cycling numbers and crash statistics.

Project 2: Please seriously consider a roundabout for this intersection. This would greatly improve traffic flow out of Scotch Pde. From the Vic government TowardsZero website: “Roundabouts help to make intersections safer by reducing vehicle speeds at intersections and make it easier to choose a safe gap in traffic. In the event of a crash, roundabouts reduce the severity of the impact by changing the angles and speeds of a collision. Roundabouts are one of the safest types of intersections and reduce the risk of being severely injured in a car accident by up to 90%.” You could also keep the speed limit at 60km/h for the rest of Thames Pr because traffic will need to slow at a roundabout anyway. For the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, it would be great to look at the brand new roundabouts on Moray St, Sth Melb. While I don’t think there is nearly as much foot and cycle traffic in our area than in Sth Melb, the idea may be do-able on a smaller scale. https://metrotunnel.vic.gov.au/about-the-project/news/moray-street-upgrade-completed

Project 2: I believe a roundabout would be the best option for this intersection for better traffic flow, specially on Saturdays when a local footy game is on, or an event is being held at Bicentennial Park.

Defnitely agree with lights at the Scotch Pde intersection but NOT with the raised safety platform
Defnitely DO NOT agree with 50 Km speed limit.
Agree with the pedestrian crossings proposed though cannot understand why there would be no flashing lights for the crossing in Scotch Pde especially as close to Children’s playground at the park
There is an issue with traffic near the Chelsea Heights shopping strip during peak periods causing build up back to and including Wells Rd roundabout.

Project 2 Finally! This intersection is painful for anyone turning from Scotch Pde onto Thames Prom.
Project 3 NO, NO, NO, NO, NO.
Project 4 Yes, excellent idea.

Project 2 is my main concern as I have seen several very close to being serious accidents there. I think lights is the best idea. A round-about would definitely disadvantage Scotch Pde cars turning onto Thames Prom. Thames Prom carries much more traffic than Scotch Pde. Any other projects that make Thames Prom safer for children and elderly would be a good idea.

Project 2. Thames & Scotch intersection would be better suited to a Roundabout to allow a more fluid stream of traffic. Currently traffic is banked up on Scotch pde. Lights will exacerbate traffic build up in all directions. Well lit ped crossings can also be installed.
I agree with other recommendations although Chelsea Heights Ped Crossing must be lit up well particularly during winter where visibility is poor for such a busy area

All looks ok but something definitely needs to be done with the corner of First Ave and Thames Prom. Either reduce speed limit on Thames Prom on the bend, or build a large Roundabout near the community centre which will slow down the traffic down on Thames Prom to allow safely exiting from Football ground, community center, and First Ave. For First Ave residents we have a blind spot to the right of Thames Prom, and when cars come around fast its taking your life in your own hands. The speed li it is recommended at 50klms but the cars come round that bend at 60/65 and it’s to fast.
Thank you