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Signs improve traffic flow
Caitlin Ryan
04Aug08
TRAFFIC is flowing better though Bulla, thanks to new signs.
On May 26, Hume Council put in "no right turn" signs at the corner of Green and Cahill streets, banning the turn between 4-7pm weekdays in a three-month trial to stop rat-runners and improve traffic flow during peak times.
A report presented at the council meeting last Monday found the signs had significantly reduced right-turning traffic into Green St.
Before the ban, an automatic traffic counter clocked an average 667 motorists going through the roundabout at nearby Bulla Rd each hour between May 19 and 26.
This figure dropped to 72 an hour between June 18 and 25.
On May 15, an average 1325 went through between 4-7pm.
On June 19, it was 170.
Both councillors Ann Potter and Jack Ogilvie said traffic was flowing better at Green St.
"The frightening thing is, people are going to start saying we don't need a bypass," Cr Ogilvie said.
But Cr Potter said the traffic problem was now being pushed further down the road. She said traffic was now turning right into Oaklands Rd, and left into Somerton Rd before coming out at the Wildwood and Sunbury Roads intersection.
"If everyone just stayed on Sunbury Rd, while the traffic may travel slowly, it's better than everyone creating another rat-run, that doesn't gain them any time," she said.
"I just wish people would realise that rat-runners cause the build-up of traffic they are trying to avoid."
Cr Potter created a group on social networking site Facebook called "Upgrade Sunbury-Bulla Rd or build a bypass" which has 290 members.
Sunbury's John Goddard, who travels through Bulla at least once a week, said: "Traffic used to be at a standstill between the Wildwood Rd and Green St roundabouts, but it seems to be flowing continuously, at about 40km an hour."
Mr Goddard said a bypass might not be needed if the signs worked.
Roads Minister Tim Pallas told the Leader in May that a bypass was not on the agenda.
A June blitz saw police hit 90 drivers with the $116 penalty for ignoring the signs. A study and report on the signs will be presented at a meeting on October 13.
* Does Bulla still need a bypass if signs are working? Tell us at 30 Station St, Sunbury 3429, or email sunbury@ leadernewspapers.com.au
