The changes proposed in this document are welcome and need to be implemented urgently.
Lower speed limits need to be enforced and embedded through suitable design and traffic management measures, such as continuous footpaths crossing roads at appropriate points to give pedestrians priority over vehicles, expanded footpath widths to narrow the carriage way etc. Where possible on residential roads, through-traffic should be removed entirely through filtered permeability. This should support walkable / cycleable neighbourhoods and the 15min city concept.
Measure WALK2 – Improved Footpaths: The NTA, in conjunction with local authorities, will implement footpath improvement schemes across the GDA where required throughout the period of the Transport Strategy in order to ensure that they are of sufficient width, adequately lit, serve both sides of the road in urban areas (in most cases) are of good quality surfacing and are free of unnecessary clutter. There are no details on what sufficient width means – sufficient width needs to mean the footpath is wide enough for 2 buggies / wheelchairs to pass without having to leave the footpath and step onto the road.
10.6 Pedestrian Crossings: "As such, the time spent waiting for the pedestrian phase may also need to be reduced." The word MAY should be removed so that the end of the sentence reads "needs to be reduced." One of the primary stated actions to be fulfilled by this strategy is a reduction in car dominance. Key to achieving this is giving pedestrians priority. The text states "and a balance is required to ensure the needs of all modes are met." But a balance is not what is sought here, per the strategy's stated aims - we need a modal shift.