Roads and Maritime Services is standing by its decision to lower speed limits along Lemon Tree Passage Road despite community backlash.
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RMS announced last week that speed limits along the main road in and out of the Tilligerry Peninsula would be lowered 10km/h by the end of July.
The decision came after a review early in 2017, done on the request of a community member, which found collisions resulting in injuries along Lemon Tree Passage Road were “higher than average”, a RMS spokesperson said.
“The review assessed a number of factors including crash history, road geometry, road usage, adjacent development, traffic volumes and the number of access points,” the spokesperson said.
“The review supported a 10km/h reduction in speed limit at various locations along Lemon Tree Passage Road.”
According to RMS data, in the five years to December 2015 there were 43 crashes, 33 of which resulted in injuries, along Lemon Tree Passage Road.
The decision sparked an outpouring of anger on social media and in Fairfax Media poll where 80 per cent of the 240 respondents said they were unhappy that the speed limits will be lowered.
Complaints made on social media about the decision included that it was “revenue raising”, will increase road rage and cause further crashes, more driver education is needed and it will make the trip from Lemon Tree Passage to Salt Ash even longer.
However RMS, supported by Port Stephens Council, said said the speed zone changes will improve safety.
“While Port Stephens Council is not responsible for setting speed limits, we do promote and advocate for better road safety,” the council’s road safety and traffic officer, Lisa Lovegrove, said.
“Speed is often the major factor in improving road safety, as even small reductions can reduce the number of deaths and severity of injuries caused by crashes.”
In the past five years, Port Stephens Council has completed $6 million of road upgrades along Lemon Tree Passage Road.
More work is planned for the future.
Ms Lovegrove said it was difficult for the council to widen the roads any further due to the limited reserve space available on either side and the placement telegraph poles and drainage.
Additionally, there is a council-owned and operated message board along the road, which is regularly updated with safety messages.
Ellie-Marie Watts
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
