Kingborough Council is planning pedestrian improvements on Beach Road and Osborne Esplanade in Kingston Beach.
What’s the plan?
Several changes are proposed for these two Kingston Beach streets, all aimed at slowing traffic and making the area more walkable.
1. Raised Threshold
A raised threshold (flat top speed hump) on Beach Road to define the entrance to the Kingston Beach area.
Our thoughts:
Simple but effective. Good idea.
2. Kerb extensions
Kerb extensions at two points on Beach Road: near the early learning centre (top) and at the intersection with Balmoral Road (bottom). These are intended to make crossing the road easier.
Our thoughts:
Kerb extensions do shorten the crossing distance for pedestrians. However they don’t slow cars that much and tend to squeeze bikes into traffic. They’re also problematic when bike infrastructure is added later (see Campbell & Argyle Streets). A bike lane on Beach Road seems to be the plan (as per the Kingston Cycling Strategy page 23) and will become even more important when the ferries arrive.
3. New wombat crossing
A new wombat crossing on Beach Road mid-block between Windsor Street and Osborne Esplanade.
Our thoughts:
Why here? Mid-block crossings tend to be in addition to crossings at intersections. They’re also normally at locations where there’s a specific reason for people to cross there — a Surf Life Saving Club or the exit of a major shopping centre for example.
4. Formalised wombat crossing
Painted lines to be added to the existing raised crossing at the public toilets / Surf Life Saving Club on Osborne Esplanade. This effectively turns it into a wombat crossing and it becomes unambiguous that cars have to give way to pedestrians.
Our thoughts:
Most cars already give way here, this just formalises it. Good idea.
5. Intersection paint
A perceptual countermeasure at the intersection of Beach Road and Osborne Esplanade. Basically a fancy paint job.
Our thoughts:
This is the spot in Kingston Beach that needs change the most — this major intersection has overly wide lanes, gentle corners and an existing pedestrian crossing with poor visibility. Paint doesn’t cut it.
It’s also worth noting the supporting engineering report recommends changing the existing zebra crossing to a wombat crossing because of the poor visibility (page 28).
An alternative approach
Our alternative approach utilises either multiple wombat crossings or raised intersections at each intersection. Adjusted kerbs at the Beach Road & Osborne Esplanade intersection narrow the lanes and sharpen the corners.
Benefits of this alternative approach
- More consistent slowing of vehicles along Beach Road. Also slows vehicles coming from the southern end of Osborne Esplanade.
- The crossings are at intersections — where people are most likely to cross. Mid-block crossings can always be included in addition.
- Creates a continuous footpath along Beach Road. This is better placemaking for the shopping strip and results in improved accessibility.
- Improved safety of the existing zebra crossing on Osborne Esplanade as recommended in the engineers report.
- Narrower lanes & sharper corners slow vehicles at the Beach Road & Osborne Esplanade intersection. Pedestrian crossings here are also shorter.
- No kerb extensions to impact on cyclists or future bike infrastructure.
Where to from here?
Community consultation on the proposal closed on 12 December 2023.
Kingborough Council is currently using the community feedback to inform their design and priorities. Their plan is to implement the proposed treatment over the next two financial years — so 2024-26.
More info
Kingston Beach Local Area Traffic Management project page
Kingston Beach Local Area Traffic Management study (96 pages) — the supporting engineering report
Bicycle Network Tasmania’s opinion