Australia: Radical plan to drive cars from key roads

SPEED limits will be dropped on key routes, lanes removed and traffic lights changed to favour public transport and pedestrians under a new strategy for Melbourne’s inner north to be launched by Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky today.

Darebin Council’s new transport plan


The plan places the council on a potential collision course with VicRoads, which last night dodged questions on whether it would allow clearways to be removed to support the strategy.

Under the council’s plan, major shopping strips such as Northcote’s High Street would be targeted for clearway removal. Left-turn “slip lanes” could also be removed to discourage cars, and parking fees could go up.

The Age