The intersection at The Valley Avenue and Gozzard Street near the pool is problematic for locals. Photo: Damien Larkins.
The results are in – Gungahlin’s worst intersections have been named, as well as a raft of concerns about the town centre from disgruntled locals.
Residents cited too many traffic lights, inadequate car parking and too much traffic as their greatest concerns in a survey run by ACT Labor backbencher Suzanne Orr.
Ms Orr, who has a background in urban planning, will share the survey results with Minister for Transport and City Services Chris Steel and work with him on assessing some of the issues raised by the survey and what improvements can be made.
The online survey ran from 12 April to 25 August 2021 and received 613 responses from Gungahlin residents and some locals from surrounding suburbs.
According to the subsequent report, the five worst intersections in Gungahlin are:
- Gozzard Street and Ernest Cavanagh Street near KFC
- The Valley Avenue and Gozzard Street near the pool
- Gribble Street and Ernest Cavanagh Street near Bunnings
- Efkarpidis Street and Gungahlin Place West near Young & Frisky, and
- Ernest Cavanagh Street and Hinder Street near the Aldi car park.
Residents concerns included poor visibility, delays caused by a drive-thru, car park and school traffic, overly narrow roads and out-of-sync traffic lights or a total lack of lights in places they are necessary.
At the intersection of Gozzard Street and Ernest Cavanagh Street, residents claim the drive-thru restaurants and nearby supermarkets case major delays, that the lights don’t stay green for long enough and are out of sync, and that the roads are too narrow.
Some respondents called for the road to be turned into a one-way street to help ease some of these delays.
Respondents also indicated that the intersection of The Valley Avenue and Gozzard Street near the pool is far too congested and would benefit from traffic lights or a roundabout.
“During peak hour, it is virtually impossible to get back out onto The Valley Ave. The number of cars driving both ways impact on other intersections as you get to Burgmann School,” the report read.
At Gribble Street and Ernest Cavanagh Street near Bunnings, respondents said there is simply poor visibility and drivers struggle to turn right. They say this intersection should be made a left turn only.
Also of concern is the intersection at Gribble Street and Ernest Cavanagh Street near Bunnings. Photo: Damien Larkins.
Similar concerns were raised regarding the Efkarpidis Street and Gungahlin Place West intersection near Young & Frisky. Respondents said there is poor visibility, the give way signs are confusing and that the traffic would flow better if buses were removed.
There were similar concerns about Ernest Cavanagh Street and Hinder Street near the Aldi car park.
Respondents said people often take dangerous risks when getting out of Ernest Cavanagh Street, that there can be long waiting times and turning right is difficult during peak times.
Survey respondents also held concerns about the intersections at Ginn Street (between the petrol stations), Warwick Street and The Valley Avenue, Gungahlin Drive and The Valley Avenue, Gundaroo Drive and Horse Park Drive.
Residents are also keen to see Gungahlin Drive – west of Gundaroo Drive – duplicated. This is followed by Horse Park Drive between Roden Cutler Drive and Gungahlin Drive.
The survey also provided an opportunity for Gungahlin residents to provide their feedback and air their concerns about the Gungahlin Town Centre.
Around 15 per cent of survey respondents indicated that traffic lights are the biggest issue with the town centre. People claim there are too many and are not in sync, meaning commuters will get stuck at each one.
Others (12 per cent) said traffic is the biggest issue – that there’s simply too much of it. Another popular response was for the town centre to be completely car-free. Similarly, 8 per cent of respondents were primarily concerned with there not being adequate pedestrian access in the town centres.
A further 13 per cent said that car parks are the most significant issue – particularly inadequate parking.
Lastly, 4 per cent of people felt one-way roads – particularly around the fast-food restaurants – were necessary.
Original Article published by Lottie Twyford on Riotact.
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