A stroll through Moruya will soon be much safer, with vehicle speed limits to be slashed in town.
A Transport for NSW spokesperson said to make it safer for pedestrians to shop and enjoy the town, particularly during the upcoming summer holidays, speed zones along Shore and Ford streets will drop permanently from 50 km/h to 30 km/h.
“This reduced 30 km/h limit is a first for the NSW South Coast, and is a change Eurobodalla Shire Council has been advocating for with the support of local police, the local traffic committee and the community to improve Moruya’s town centre and make it safer and more accessible to pedestrians” the spokesperson said.
“It shows we’re serious about finding the right balance between the needs of all transport customers alongside the qualities that make South Coast communities so special to locals, and appealing and accessible for visitors.
“Australian and international research shows vehicles travelling at 30 km/h as opposed to 40 km/h will stop eight metres earlier. If a collision did take place between a vehicle and pedestrian the risk of it being a fatality is slashed to ten per cent at this lower speed.
“The new speed will come into effect on Monday 1 November 2021 and will make a walk to the stunning Moruya waterfront or to enjoy the markets at Riverside Park an easier, more leisurely experience.”
Eurobodalla Shire’s Director of Infrastructure Services Warren Sharpe OAM said Council has been proactive in shifting the focus to foot traffic in the town centre.
‘We wanted to bring about a positive change within the Moruya CBD to make the town safer and more walkable,” Mr Sharpe said.
“After discussion with the Moruya Chamber, we’ve implemented simple, cost effective pedestrian and vehicle slow points to produce a slower and safer environment for our community.
“We’re really pleased that Transport for NSW has decided to make Moruya the first regional town to adopt the 30 km/h speed zone.
“After being financially slammed by the Black Summer bushfires and then Covid-19, being more accessible to visitors as they browse in the CBD and enjoy the waterfront will be huge benefit to small businesses that have been crying out for those tourist dollars.”
The reduced speed zone will contribute to the Princes Highway upgrades commitment to improving the safety, liveability and economic sustainability of towns connected to the highway, including plans for a proposed Moruya bypass.
It would also complement Eurobodalla Shire Council’s other work to improve pedestrian safety in Moruya’s town centre including raised pedestrian crossings on Ford Street and a roundabout at the Ford Lane intersection.
