Proposals to end the "rat run"
Phillip Street has been used for many years as an alternative shortcut (or rat run) route to Dee Street which is not desirable for a residential area particularly when such vehicles speed. The adjacent subdivision activities have also introduced additional vehicles travelling in this area.
The proposed Local Area Traffic Management (LATM) primary objectives are to slow traffic and redirect traffic taking short cuts from the residential local roads to the more major roads.
The Council wants to redirect the commuter traffic that is “rat running” through the area to use Fox Street and Dee Street.
This will be achieved by installing devices such as speed platforms, chicanes, and additional streetscaping. (See at right for examples of a proposed splitter island and a slow point). Local residents’ travel times will not be adversely affected but the speed of any through traffic would be reduced.
Tom Greenwood, the Council's manager of Roading and Solid Waste, says: "The local community benefits by the improvement to the living conditions in its residential street. This concept has been used elsewhere in Invercargill for example Alice Street and Islington Street, which were used as rat runs in the past but the installation of calming devices in these areas has significantly reduced the volume of traffic and speed within the streets.
"We have received complaints from local residents concerned at the increasing speed and numbers of vehicles on Phillip Street and the connection streets. Our recent traffic survey has confirmed this.
"You may also be aware that the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA), which is responsible for managing all State Highway roading works, is proposing to install traffic signals at the intersection of Dee Street and Fox Street.
"This proposal will assist with traffic currently having difficulty right-turning out of Fox Street which will work well with Council’s traffic calming proposals.
"Warning lights and bells are also planned for April/May this year at the railway crossing on Fox Street to further improve safety," Mr Greenwood said.
The Council welcomes comments; these should be received by Friday, April 15 (see print-and-post form below). Residents in the area involved will have received information packs: the number and locations of the devices shown in the packs are indicative at this time until we receive your feedback.
The construction of the first stage involving the mid block devices is proposed for May/June/July this year. Potential further work at the intersections with Dee Street could be undertaken after review of the outcomes of the first calming works.
If you have any questions or require any further information please do not hesitate to contact the Council's Customer Support Services on 211 1777 or email service@icc.govt.nz