visit raa.com.au
RAA has released its first comprehensive assessment of the transport network in the Fleurieu Peninsula and McLaren Vale as serious and fatal crashes in the region increase 57 per cent in the past three years.
The popular tourist destination and agricultural region requires increasing infrastructure investment to cope with rising traffic volumes and casualty crashes, according to RAA’s regional road assessment.
Tragically, the number of crashes resulting in people being seriously injured or killed in the region has increase from 33 in 2018 to 50 in 2019 and 52 last year, RAA Senior Manager Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain said.
“This report comes at a crucial time for the region,’’ he said.
“Not only is this an increasingly popular place to live, more South Australian tourists in cars, caravans, and camper trailers visiting the region since the COVID-19 outbreak last year.’’
Mr Mountain said the report complements RAA’s Victor Harbor Road assessment released earlier this year, and contains several key recommendations, including:
INSTALLING additional overtaking lanes on busy corridors, including Victor Harbor, Main South, Long Valley, Alexandrina and Goolwa roads.
UPGRADES to Main South Road, including safety barriers, intersection improvements and pavement reconstruction between Aldinga and Sellicks Beach.
SEALING road shoulders or widening existing shoulders on Inman Valley, Main, Kangarilla and Strathalbyn roads to improve motorists’ and cyclists’ safety.
MAJOR intersection upgrades at Mt Compass, Sellicks Beach, Middleton, Victor Harbor and McLaren Vale.
Mr Mountain said a key issue identified in the report was the need to upgrade four-way intersections in the McLaren Vale region.
“Main Road in McLaren Vale has been the location of a number of crashes recently, two tragically leading to lives lost earlier this year,’’ he said.
“To help reduce road trauma on this busy tourism route, RAA recommends the construction of roundabouts at several high risk intersections on Main Road, and a number of simple improvements for other intersections, such as increased signage and line marking.’’
Mr Mountain said this was the first RAA regional road assessment report to incorporate a focus on tourism.
“We looked where the transport network and town streetscapes impact on tourists travelling – and staying – in the region to enable us to identify opportunities to address these,’’ he said.
“Improved parking and pedestrian pathways are among some of the suggested tourism-focussed recommendations. Further developments are also urged for the Encounter Bikeway, and the Flat to Vale trail – projects that will improve mobility for locals and tourists alike.’’
Mr Mountain said the report also recommends improving freight movement in the region, and it urges the State Government to conduct a feasibility study of the proposed South Coast Freight Corridor.
The extensive report was compiled from RAA visits to the region to assess the transport network and investigate many of the issues raised in a community survey and by other stakeholders.
The Regional Road Assessment: Fleurieu and McLaren Vale is available at www.raa.com.au/roadassessments