Foster Shared Path - Round Two Consultation

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Consultation has concluded.

Council is working to improve walking and cycling in Foster and as a result, has obtained funding from the TAC to investigate options for a shared path between the Foster town centre and Great Southern Rail Trail.

Based on previous feedback received, we have developed two draft treatment options that we would now like your opinion on.

Please note that these are conceptual options and should there be support for one then detailed survey and design would be undertaken with a view to apply for further TAC funding to implement the supported option.

Option A is a pair of on-road bicycle lanes (one for each direction) - separated by kerbs from the traffic where space allows - on Station Road.

Option B is a separate bi-directional bicycle path at footpath level (i.e. above the road surface), using space currently occupied by either nature strips or parked vehicles.

For both options, the existing footpaths would remain in place for the exclusive use of pedestrians.

Advantages and disadvantages of each option are listed in the table below.

Please note:

  • Station Rd at 12.2 metre sealed width has enough width for two parking lanes (2 x 2m) and two thru lanes (2 x 4.1m)
  • The existing footpath would be retained and the off road shared path would be a separate path for bike riders
  • To enable the off road shared path to be installed a thru lane width reduction may be necessary where the new path cannot be placed entirely within the existing nature strip
  • No street trees are proposed to be removed for either option, though this would be confirmed during the detail design stage


Option A - On-road Bike LanesOption B - Off-road Bike Path
Advantages
  • Convenient connection to Rail Trail.
  • Reduced traffic lane widths should encourage lower vehicle speeds.
  • Physical separation from traffic in some spots (but not whole length).
  • Parking retained (allowed in bike lane).
  • Convenient connection to Rail Trail.
  • Physically separated from traffic.
  • Reduced lane widths should encourage lower vehicle speeds.
  • Raised priority cyclist crossing at Rail Trail.
  • Most parking is retained.
  • Parked cars would be separated from the proposed bike path reducing the likelihood of 'dooring'.
Disadvantages
  • Not physically separated from traffic.
  • 'Dooring' risk from parked vehicles.
  • Parking is allowed by default in bicycle lanes.
  • More expensive option.


What We Heard in the First Round of Consultation

We heard from 116 people about their cycling and walking activity around the corridor between the Foster town centre and the Great Southern Rail Trail.

  • People regularly chose active transport modes at least some of the time along the Station Road corridor:
    • Over 50 per cent of respondents said that they walked or rode a bicycle in the area at least weekly.
    • Over 50 per cent of people walk or ride for leisure, and nearly 40 per cent of people walk or ride to reach the Great Southern Rail Trail.
  • Significant numbers of people felt unsafe using the corridor:
    • Around 40 per cent of people reported that they feel unsafe when walking or riding along the Main Road corridor. The main reasons for this were that there were too many cars and trucks, and speeds were too high.
  • Over 70 per cent of people supported the idea of a Shared Path between Pearl Park and the Great Southern Rail Trail.

As part of this project, we have listened to your feedback and have also collected and reviewed data including:

  • Crash data.
  • Traffic speed and volume data.
  • Observations of activity along the Station Road corridor.

This information has been taken on board and draft treatment options have been developed. The route along Station Road was identified as the most direct and suitable for the addition of a dedicated cycling facility.

To have your say on these options, please take our short survey by Thursday 8 June. This should only take a few minutes to complete.

Council is working to improve walking and cycling in Foster and as a result, has obtained funding from the TAC to investigate options for a shared path between the Foster town centre and Great Southern Rail Trail.

Based on previous feedback received, we have developed two draft treatment options that we would now like your opinion on.

Please note that these are conceptual options and should there be support for one then detailed survey and design would be undertaken with a view to apply for further TAC funding to implement the supported option.

Option A is a pair of on-road bicycle lanes (one for each direction) - separated by kerbs from the traffic where space allows - on Station Road.

Option B is a separate bi-directional bicycle path at footpath level (i.e. above the road surface), using space currently occupied by either nature strips or parked vehicles.

For both options, the existing footpaths would remain in place for the exclusive use of pedestrians.

Advantages and disadvantages of each option are listed in the table below.

Please note:

  • Station Rd at 12.2 metre sealed width has enough width for two parking lanes (2 x 2m) and two thru lanes (2 x 4.1m)
  • The existing footpath would be retained and the off road shared path would be a separate path for bike riders
  • To enable the off road shared path to be installed a thru lane width reduction may be necessary where the new path cannot be placed entirely within the existing nature strip
  • No street trees are proposed to be removed for either option, though this would be confirmed during the detail design stage


Option A - On-road Bike LanesOption B - Off-road Bike Path
Advantages
  • Convenient connection to Rail Trail.
  • Reduced traffic lane widths should encourage lower vehicle speeds.
  • Physical separation from traffic in some spots (but not whole length).
  • Parking retained (allowed in bike lane).
  • Convenient connection to Rail Trail.
  • Physically separated from traffic.
  • Reduced lane widths should encourage lower vehicle speeds.
  • Raised priority cyclist crossing at Rail Trail.
  • Most parking is retained.
  • Parked cars would be separated from the proposed bike path reducing the likelihood of 'dooring'.
Disadvantages
  • Not physically separated from traffic.
  • 'Dooring' risk from parked vehicles.
  • Parking is allowed by default in bicycle lanes.
  • More expensive option.


What We Heard in the First Round of Consultation

We heard from 116 people about their cycling and walking activity around the corridor between the Foster town centre and the Great Southern Rail Trail.

  • People regularly chose active transport modes at least some of the time along the Station Road corridor:
    • Over 50 per cent of respondents said that they walked or rode a bicycle in the area at least weekly.
    • Over 50 per cent of people walk or ride for leisure, and nearly 40 per cent of people walk or ride to reach the Great Southern Rail Trail.
  • Significant numbers of people felt unsafe using the corridor:
    • Around 40 per cent of people reported that they feel unsafe when walking or riding along the Main Road corridor. The main reasons for this were that there were too many cars and trucks, and speeds were too high.
  • Over 70 per cent of people supported the idea of a Shared Path between Pearl Park and the Great Southern Rail Trail.

As part of this project, we have listened to your feedback and have also collected and reviewed data including:

  • Crash data.
  • Traffic speed and volume data.
  • Observations of activity along the Station Road corridor.

This information has been taken on board and draft treatment options have been developed. The route along Station Road was identified as the most direct and suitable for the addition of a dedicated cycling facility.

To have your say on these options, please take our short survey by Thursday 8 June. This should only take a few minutes to complete.

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    In the first round of consultation, we heard from 116 people who cycle and walk the corridor between the Foster town centre and Great Southern Rail Trail.

    Here are some of the high-level findings:

    • Over 50 per cent of respondents said they walked or rode a bicycle in the area at least weekly.
    • Over 50 per cent of people walk or ride for leisure.
    • Nearly 40 per cent of people walk or ride to reach the Great Southern Rail Trail.
    • Around 40 per cent of people reported they felt unsafe walking or riding along the Main Road corridor and the main reasons for this were that there were too many cars and trucks, and speeds were too high.
    • Over 70 per cent of respondents supported the idea of a shared path between Pearl Park and the Great Southern Rail Trail.

    All this information was taken on board to develop the two draft treatment options we are now seeking feedback on.

    Please Note: This survey will close on Friday 2 June.

    Consultation has concluded.

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