Page 344 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 12 February 2013
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Roads ACT has investigated the location. To prevent vehicles mounting the kerb onto the footpath directly adjacent to the Hopetoun Circuit car park entry, heavy duty metal barriers were installed along the footpath adjacent to the newsagency in July 2012.
This section of the footpath is within the ACT road reserve boundaries, that is, on Government land. Prior to installing the permanent barriers, temporary water filled barriers were installed on this section as an interim measure to prevent other vehicles mounting the kerb.
The Deakin traders have requested similar barriers along the rest of the perimeter of the footpath facing the car park at Deakin Shops. However, in these locations, the footpath is on private land, and not the direct responsibility of the ACT Government.
Nevertheless, Roads ACT agreed to undertake an assessment of the traders’ concerns, with a view to improving the safety of the footpath along the eastern and southern side of the shops facing the car park.
In the meantime, petition No. 137 lodged by Ms Le Couteur MLA, representing the Deakin traders, was received by the Assembly on 14 August 2012 seeking urgent action by the ACT Government to remedy the situation by installing temporary water filled barriers and undertake a full risk assessment to identify and address the safety concerns raised by the shop owners.
Roads ACT engaged an independent consultant to undertake these tasks. The ACT standard specification for kerb height is 150mm. In most suburban shopping centres this kerb height provides a more than adequate barrier to prevent vehicles mounting the kerb. However, the actual kerb height at Deakin Shops varies between 80mm and 120mm, probably as a result of successive asphalt overlays.
Following the comprehensive survey of the car park and adjacent footpaths facing the shops, the consultant canvassed three options for improvements:
1. Restoration of the height of the kerb to 150mm to provide an effective vertical barrier to stop errant vehicles. This option involved either partial or full milling of the car park pavement. It is considered to be expensive and would be disruptive to business activities at Deakin Shops.
2. Provision of pipe rail barriers mounted on the existing footpath behind the kerb in a similar manner to the barriers already installed opposite the driveway entrance. This option would result in the least disruption to business activities, and there is ample room on the footpath for the placement of the barriers. This option would cost between $23,000 and $30,000.
3. Relocation of the kerb to create a footpath extension within the road reserve boundary. Pipe barriers would be installed on the footpath extension. However, like Option 1 this option would be disruptive to business activities. It would reduce space within the car park for vehicle manoeuvring, and may also result in a reduction of parking spaces. This option would cost between $44,000 and $53,000.
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