Lord Mayor Graham Quirk will today announce new and upgraded pedestrian crossings for Brisbane’s CBD, as well as a reduced speed limit on Ann Street, in response to an interim report on Brisbane City Council’s Pedestrian Safety Review.

Cr Quirk said Council had been examining pedestrian crash data and community feedback, in order to identify the cause of safety issues and determine how to boost the safety of people moving around the city.

“Brisbane is a walkable city for both residents and visitors, but it is now evident from the number of recent pedestrian-related road incidents that more can be done to improve safety for pedestrians in both the CBD and suburbs,” Cr Quirk said.

“Incident data shows that the majority of pedestrian-related incidents in the CBD are concentrated around just three streets, Albert, Ann and Adelaide Streets, and yesterday Civic Cabinet approved a series of urgent upgrades at these hot spots, as part of an interim report into the Pedestrian Safety Review.

“Council will reduce the speed limit of Ann Street, from the Fortitude Valley side of Creek Street to the Riverside Expressway, to 40km/hr – in line with the majority of other CBD streets.

“This 780 metre section of Ann Street has been the location of 10 serious pedestrian crashes in just five years, with speed identified as a contributing factor.

“This was the only location in the CBD where speed was a defining factor in incidents, with the majority of pedestrian crashes at other city centre sites occurring at very low speeds.”

Cr Quirk said that pedestrian impatience and distraction were leading causes of incidents at other CBD locations, particularly along both Adelaide Street and Albert Street.

“An alarming 16 pedestrian crashes have occurred on Adelaide Street in just five years, with many more reported near-misses by buses, due to pedestrians walking into traffic between Albert Street and Edward Street to cross the road,” he said.

“Council will install a pedestrian crossing with traffic lights along Adelaide Street between Albert and Edward Street, to provide a safe crossing alternative and discourage pedestrians from walking into traffic.

“Intersections at Albert and Charlotte Streets, as well as Albert and Mary Streets, will also be upgraded to scramble crossings, allowing pedestrians to cross in all directions at the one time, boosting safety and reducing wait times at the intersections.”

“Close to 80 per cent of all traffic at the Charlotte Street intersection is pedestrian traffic during morning peak times, with the volume of pedestrians sometimes spilling out onto the roadway while pedestrians wait to cross.”

Cr Quirk said that Council’s Pedestrian Safety Review would continue, with a final report due in late 2018

 

 

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