Plans for a revamp of High Street in Preston that will discourage bike riders from using the street have been adopted by Darebin Council.
The council voted at its recent meeting to proceed with the concept, which on the positive side will widen footpaths and slow speeds, but will also prioritise the retention of a concrete median over the provision of bike lanes.
It is surprising in this day and age, when the latest design principles and guidelines used by councils and governments call for the higher priority to be given to active transport, to see cycling deprioritised.
Under the council plan riders will have to share a high traffic volume lane with all other vehicles.
The adopted concept plans are for the improvement of the shopping strip between Bell Street and Murray Road. They will now be developed into detailed designs.
The council will approach the state and federal governments to develop and fund the project in partnership with the council over the next four years.
However, state and federal government have existing guidelines under Movement and Place principles and other policies that Darebin’s High Street plans may struggle to comply with, so further changes, perhaps for the better, are possible.
This precinct also houses the Preston Market and has been declared one of Melbourne’s new activity centres, with accelerated housing developments to bring a much larger population of residents to the locality. According to the state government, these centres will prioritise access for active transport.
For more details see our previous story.
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