Council is seeking feedback from the Dareton community to submit a proposed High Pedestrian Access Area of 40 km/h to Transport for New South Wales.
What is a 40 km/h High Pedestrian Activity Area (HPAA)?
These are areas of high pedestrian activity, where there is a high degree of interaction between vehicles and pedestrians. They may be near shopping strips, bus interchanges or community services such as medical centres, libraries and Police stations.
The maximum speed limit is 40 km/h at all times.
The different road environment helps to alert drivers to the lower speed limit and makes them aware of the presence of pedestrians moving about or near the road.
This creates a safer road environment for all road users, particularly for the vulnerable road users – pedestrians, cyclists and children.
Proposed HPAA Area in Dareton
The proposed HPAA for Dareton runs the length of Tapio Street, approximately from Devonport Street to Burtundy Street.
It would also include Tiltao Street, Millie Street and Neilpo Street. The purpose is to provide additional safety for pedestrians and other vulnerable road users along these routes as they travel to and from the shops, from school to the youth centre, the Coomealla Memorial Services Club and other community services venues incuding – CHAC, Service NSW, Wentworth Library and local Police Station.
Wentworth Shire Council is also seeking to extend the footpath between Neilpo Street and Mitchell Ave.
Community members have expressed their concern over the increasing volume of traffic running though the centre of town, especially Heavy Vehicles of all types including Road Trains, without much protection for those wishing to cross the road to use the various amenities within the centre of town.
The proposal would also consider amending both approaches to the HPAA, with the current 50 km/h speed zones being revised to 60 km/h.
Why 40 km/h?
Managing speed is a key component in managing pedestrian safety. Research and scientific analysis show that a pedestrian hit by a car travelling at 40 km/h has twice the chance of surviving the collision than if the car was travelling 50 km/h.
Travelling speeds higher than 40 km/h greatly increases the risk of injury and death to pedestrians.
Community Engagement
Council Community Road Safety Officer will be available outside Walkers IGA, 31-37 Tapio Street, Dareton to engage with community members and to encourage direct feedback on the following dates and times.
- Monday 25 November 2024 from 11am – 1pm
- Friday 29 November 2024 from 9am – 11am
- Friday 29 November 2024 from 2pm – 4pm
HPAA Feedback welcomed
Wentworth Shire Council is inviting community feedback on the proposal to introduce a HPAA to Dareton. Letters of support would be welcomed as would any feedback on the proposal.
