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General News

1 November, 2024

Speed reduction follows years of advocacy

After years of advocacy, countless appeals to bureaucrats, politicians and council officials, resident Bronwen Haywood’s push for road safety has finally been realised — with the speed limit on a busy section of Napier Street now reduced to 50 km/h.

By Prealene Khera

Bronwen Haywood has played a major role in Napier Street’s speed reduction which now has a new limit of 50km/h.
Bronwen Haywood has played a major role in Napier Street’s speed reduction which now has a new limit of 50km/h.

In 2021, Ms Haywood suffered a life-changing accident at the infamous Nolan and Napier streets intersection after a driver failed to stop and give way.

Since the incident, which left her disabled, Ms Haywood has been tirelessly campaigning for the installation of safety measures at the spot.

Earlier this year, following repeated calls for action, left turn only signs were put in place at the intersection — and while Ms Haywood said it was the right way to go, she reiterated that additional work needed to be done to further reduce the risk of collisions.

Nearly 10 months later, Ms Haywood has scored another win.

This week Transport Victoria changed Napier Street’s speed limit (between Tuaggra and Inkerman streets) from 60 km/h to 50 km/h.

“I’m very pleased to see this happen,” Ms Haywood said.

“I have pursued this with a lot of vigor so I feel quite happy knowing that the area is much safer.”

But, she is far from pumping the brakes on her efforts — now turning the focus towards ensuring pedestrian safety.

“In my letters to politicians I’ve written that I’d never expect [older residents] who walk with four wheeled walkers to cross Napier Street because it’s just not safe with the amount of traffic,” Ms Haywood said.

“So, I could go a little bit further and advocate for a pedestrian crossing but I understand that’s a little bit more expensive to install.”

Although Ms Haywood will continue pushing for additional changes, according to her, the community needs to do the right thing as well.

“We know there’s still a lot of motorists who are not obeying the road signs,” she said.

“With all the changes that have been made to the area, I know that people think it’s an inconvenience but in the past we’ve had lots of accidents at that intersection and they most definitely are a major inconvenience.

“I’m going to be disabled for life — so if drivers put up with a minor inconvenience it might prevent another life altering incident like mine.”

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