A controversial plan to block most car and truck traffic on a large stretch of a main road in Melbourne’s inner north looks set to be shelved after public backlash, sparking accusations of weakness from cycling advocates and cautious optimism from residents opposed to the so-called bicycle street.
The proposal to transform a 1.1-kilometre stretch of Wellington Street by blocking access to most cars is now recommended to be shelved. Yarra City Council is to vote on it on Tuesday night.
The stretch currently has painted bike lanes and two-way vehicle traffic. Since last year, the council has been consulting on two options to redesign the section of Wellington Street between Johnston Street in Collingwood and Queens Parade in Clifton Hill to prioritise cycling and pedestrians.
The so-called bicycle street would either be a shared zone with a 30km/h speed limit where motorists share the main traffic lanes with cyclists, or dedicated bike lanes featuring physical “protected” barriers in Clifton Hill and painted lanes in Collingwood.
Both options include physical barriers such as garden beds and concrete kerbs to block vehicles from driving the full length of the stretch, and would require residents of Wellington Street to use side-street diversions to reach their homes. They would also reduce on-street parking and change the number of trees on the 1.1-kilometre stretch across both suburbs.
But there has been major community division over the plan. In a survey conducted by the council that received 1654 unique responses, 62 per cent (including non-locals who travel through the area) backed some form of traffic blocking. That number dropped among locals, however, with 50 per cent of Collingwood respondents and 47 per cent of Clifton Hill locals not supporting either option.
Cumulative petitions containing more than 2560 signatures against the plans have also been submitted to the council, against a 780-signature open letter supporting the project.
Council planners are now suggesting councillors back a substantially watered-down package that includes minor safety works, repainting the bike lanes, upgrading a school crossing and investigating a 30km/h speed limit.
Alexandra Lamb, organiser of the Say Yes to a New Wellington St campaign which is in favour of traffic diversions, said her group was appalled by the recommendation.
“Yarra City Council officers should be embarrassed by their backflip, which looks like weakness at best …,” she said.
“There is a complete disconnect between the analysis of the report, the research and community consultation that went into it, and its recommendations.”
The council officers’ new report presents different statistics, which has allowed both sides to claim the evidence supports their case.
Officers argue that traffic diversions to side streets are unlikely, asserting that drivers will stick to arterial routes like Hoddle Street, or that trips will evaporate. However, the report simultaneously concedes that preliminary modelling predicts a potential 56 per cent surge in daily traffic on Gold Street – roughly 900 vehicles extra a day on the residential street.
The report also concedes the watered-down changes would be “less impactful” in addressing “the core issue of high traffic volumes and the safety issues”.
Sebastian Guiney, leader of the Oppose Wellington St Closure campaign, welcomed the “significant shift” from the council, but said his group would not celebrate until the final vote.
“The statement that the tactical works ‘do not prohibit a street transformation option being progressed in the future’ is concerning,” Guiney said. “We believe that given the level of community opposition … this issue should be put to bed.”
The opposition group cited concern for the viability of two service stations on the strip if traffic were cut, as well as traffic increases on Gold Street, which is home to a park, a daycare facility and aged care facility, and is one of the main drop-off spots for Clifton Hill Primary School.
“Going forward, we would also like to see council officers take a more balanced approach to these proposals and genuinely consult widely with the community, rather than trying to pull the wool over the community’s eyes and push through projects that are unpopular with local residents and businesses,” Guiney said.
The plans were to be the final stages of the council’s gradual upgrade of Wellington Street. It has already completed two stages south of Johnston Street. However, those sections between Victoria Parade and Johnston Street do not include the traffic blocking that was proposed for the latter stages.
Tuesday night’s meeting is expected to be inundated with proponents and opponents attempting to persuade councillors before the vote.
Mayor Stephen Jolly has previously said the level of interest in the issue was unprecedented, telling a council meeting this year that he had “never seen Collingwood so passionate about something one way or another”.
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Rachael Dexter is a journalist in the City team at The Age. Contact her at rachael.dexter@theage.com.au, rachaeldexter@protonmail.com, or via Signal at @rachaeldexter.58Connect via Facebook or email.