Lennox Village CentreOne-Way Traffic Trial
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The one-way traffic trial commenced the week of Monday 11 March 2019. Temporary infrastructure will be in place until July 2019 (subject to the success of the trial).
During the trial:
Ballina Street becomes one-way traffic southbound between Byron Street and Park Lane Park Lane becomes one-way traffic northbound from the southern boundary of Williams Reserve to the T-intersection with Byron Street Rayner Lane becomes one-way traffic northbound.It is important to determine whether this option is suitable for the village centre. This trial will help Council and the community ‘test drive’ this option to gain a practical understanding of how a one-way traffic arrangement will operate.
The one-way trial will operate for a minimum period of three months and include the 2019 Easter school holiday period. Running the trial for this length of time and over a busy period will help Council gather important traffic data for the assessment process. It is expected that this trial, together with traffic and survey data, will provide valuable information to inform future traffic management options within the village centre.
The traffic trial will be monitored by Council’s traffic engineers. Council will be able to review the outcomes of the trial in June 2019 and make further decisions regarding the conclusion or continuation of the one-way traffic arrangement. Council recognises that this may be disruptive to some business owners and residents; however a key aspect of the trial is to determine the extent of benefit or impact to the community more broadly.
Survey - One-Way Traffic TrialThe one-way traffic trial will assist Council and the community gain a practical understanding of how a one-way traffic arrangement will operate in terms of traffic calming, pedestrian friendliness as well as traffic flow and parking.
The trial has been underway since mid-March and we are now seeking your feedback. This survey should take around 10 minutes to complete.
Survey closes: Monday 6 May 2019.
For information on how personal information is stored and handled, please read Council's privacy disclosure statement.
Previous consultation - Lennox Village VisionCouncil is committed to regularly renewing town centre infrastructure to enhance public amenity and help deliver improved economic outcomes for our local business community. We have allocated a preliminary estimate of $5.5 million in our long term financial plan to renew and beautify the Lennox Head village centre. The objective is to complete this upgrade prior to the Lennox Head Centenary in 2022.
Phase 1 Consultation
Council undertook community engagement and completed Phase 1 of the Lennox Head Village Vision in 2018. This provided Council with an understanding of the community’s priorities for streetscape renewal works in the Lennox Head village centre.
Both two-way and one-way streetscape concept designs were included in the engagement material. When asked if a one-way traffic arrangement option should be explored for street upgrade works 68% of the 500 respondents supported further investigation, 23% were against further investigation and 9% were unsure.
In response to this feedback, Council approved a trial of a one-way traffic arrangement for the Lennox Head Village Centre.
For more information download the community survey report.
Timeframe of One-Way Traffic TrialInstallation of temporary infrastructure (weather dependent) for a one-way traffic arrangement in Lennox Head village centre (Ballina Street, Park Lane, Rayner Lane)
One-way traffic trial and ongoing monitoring by Council
Community survey available (4 weeks)
Review of one-way traffic arrangement and reporting to Council
Temporary infrastructure for one-way traffic arrangement removed, retained or modified depending on outcomes of the trial
The clockwise rotation direction south through Ballina Street and north along Park Lane is consistent with typical keep-left traffic flow. This arrangement also reduces potential vehicle conflict points at the intersection of Park Lane and Ballina Street.
One-way traffic flows on Park Lane and Ballina Street should increase pedestrian safety and convenience for traffic entering and exiting carparking spaces.
Park Lane becomes one-way traffic northbound from the southern boundary of Williams Reserve to the T-intersection with Byron StreetDuring the trial, Park Lane is one-way northbound from the southern boundary of Williams Reserve to Byron Street. The two-way section is retained only for the southern section of Park Lane, as the existing road widths allow for two-way traffic and enables traffic to enter and exit businesses at this end.
The carriageway width if Park Lane allows traffic to manoeuvre around vehicles entering and exiting carparks, and allow for informal loading areas on the eastern side.
The northern end of Park Lane at the intersection with Byron Street is one-way for the trial period. A two-way section was considered as an option for the northern end of Park Lane in previous one-way concepts. However this was determined impractical due to the width of Park Lane restricting a U-turn at the T-section with Mackney Lane.
Rayner Lane becomes one-way traffic northbound.For the trial period the one-way traffic flow in Rayner Lane has been reversed and traffic will flow to the north. This is to minimise traffic using Rayner Lane as a bypass. It also allows more convenient access for residents returning from the south.
Temporary infrastructure for One-Way Traffic TrialTemporary infrastructure will facilitate the one-way traffic trial. Existing line marking will be removed; new road markings created, and sandbag blisters, concrete barriers and new signage installed. This arrangement is relatively inexpensive to implement and remove if the one-way traffic arrangement proves unsuccessful.
The trial will provide information specific to traffic movements and parking. Due to the temporary nature of the trial there is limited capacity to trial other potential benefits of a one-way streetscape such as increased public spaces, additional footpath dining areas and more landscaping and street trees.
If the trial is successful and it is practical to leave the trial in place for an extended period, additional features to improve the pedestrian amenity of the streetscape may be considered.
One-way streetscape design concepts and section view drawings for the trial period illustrate some of these additional features, such as wider footpath areas and street tree plantings.
The traffic trial arrangement will include both the parking configurations shown in the streetscape concepts below. For more information on each of these concept designs download the Lennox Village Vision Booklet.
One-way streetscape concept B - angle parking
Landscaping/street trees located in kerb blister Standard footpath width Combination of parallel and angled parking arrangement (this is being trialled in southern part of the main street).Click to view: One-way streetscape concept B - angle parking
One-way streetscape concept C - parallel parking
Landscaping/street trees located in kerb blister and/or on the footpath Footpath width varies up to 6 metres Parallel parking arrangement on both sides of the street (this is being trialled in the northern part of the main street).Click to view: One-way streetscape concept C - parallel parking
Project updatesCouncil will be providing periodic updates on the Lennox Village Vision Project and the One-Way Traffic Trial Project.
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More informationFor more information see our FAQs below or contact our Strategic Planning Section on 1300 864 444.
Frequently asked questionsThe southbound traffic flow option allows for the clockwise flow of traffic around the Lennox Head village centre.
The clockwise rotation direction south through Ballina Street and north along Park Lane is consistent with typical keep-left traffic flows.
This arrangement also reduces potential vehicle conflict points at the intersection of Park Lane and Ballina Street.
The preliminary one–way streetscape designs show different arrangements for parking.
Streetscape Design B indicates the majority of the parking as nose-in angled parking, whilst Streetscape Design C indicates the majority of parking as parallel to the kerb.
The trial is an opportunity to test the two parking arrangements. A parallel parking zone is situated to the north of Ross Park on the east and west sides of Ballina Street. A nose in angled parking zone is situated to the south of Ross Park on the west side of Ballina Street.
This gives motorists and pedestrians an opportunity to experience both forms of parking and provide feedback through an on-line community survey (to be launched April 2019).
The trial proposes that the two-way section is retained only for the south section of Park Lane, as the existing pavement widths allow for two-way traffic in this section and enables traffic to enter and exit businesses at the southern end.
During the trial the remainder of Park Lane is one-way. This is due to the limited width of the carriageway in Park Lane. With one-way traffic flows, entering and exiting carparking spaces will be more convenient and safer. Pedestrian traffic will only have to look one-way.
Park Lane is considered too narrow for increased traffic volumes likely to use this lane to detour Ballina Street. With the one-way traffic arrangement for Park Lane, the carriageway width allows for traffic to manoeuvre around traffic entering and exiting carparks and enables informal loading areas on the eastern side.
The north end of Park Lane at the intersection with Byron Street is one-way for the trial period. Retaining a two-way section was considered for the north end of Park Lane in previous one-way concepts, however this arrangement is impractical due to the width of Park Lane in this section restricting U-turns where the one-way section begins.
This is proposed to reduce through traffic along Rayner Lane. It also allows more convenient access for residents when returning from the south, as they do not have to travel up Park Lane then down Ballina Street.
No, but it is expected traffic will flow better in Ballina Street if the one-way traffic in Rayner Lane is changed to northbound.
Speed limits around the Lennox Head village centre will remain the same as currently indicated. Ballina Street, Park Lane and Rayner Lane will retain 40 km/hr speed zones. Traffic signs will indicate speed limits in other areas.
For the traffic trial, parking time limits and location of disabled access parks will remain the same. The location and time allocation for parking in the village centre would be reviewed as part of the design work for the main street prior to any renewal works, whether that be for a one-way or two-way traffic arrangement.
Roundabout construction usually takes up additional space adjacent to the road. This could include footpaths, private property and open space areas.
It is likely that full roundabouts at these intersections would encroach on these areas and has therefore not been included in the current plans or trial at this stage.
Information gathered through the trial will be used to help in Council's decision making as to whether to proceed with a one-way traffic arrangement or not. The outcomes of the trial are expected to be provided to Council in June.
If the traffic trial is not successful, the temporary infrastructure for the one-way traffic configuration will be removed shortly after Council’s decision. If the trial is determined to be successful Council may decide to leave all or some parts of the temporary infrastructure in place until permanent works can begin.
At this stage Council’s long term financial plan and works program has scheduled the Lennox Head town centre village renewal for completion by December 2021.
The infrastructure used to simulate a one-way traffic arrangement is temporary. Materials include sandbags, concrete traffic barriers and temporary signage.
A two-way traffic arrangement can be restored by removing these items and repainting the road line markings.
Council will continually monitor any impacts to services during the trial. If changes are required to waste collection services, residents will be notified directly.
Members of the Lennox Head community originally requested that any renewal works be completed in time for the Lennox Head Centenary celebrations in 2022. This request has prompted Council to revisit the potential for main street upgrade works to occur within this timeframe. Community consultation to determine the key issues and priorities for this project will take time.
Adding sites to the study area is likely to increase the time and budget available for future planning, design and implementation works in this location.
Focus for the LVV project has therefore focused on the public domain and open space areas around the main street of the Lennox Village centre. The project will however seek to recognise considerations raised through this process in relation to the connections and connectivity between the study area and surrounding locations and facilities.
Feedback can be provided via the online survey (link below). Harcopies of the survey will also be available at the Lennox Community Centre, and Council's Customer Service Centre, 40 Cherry Street Ballina.
Survey Link - Lennox Village One-Way Traffic Trial
Carparking opportunities in the village centre are currently limited and will most likely continue due to population growth and the popularity of Lennox Head as a tourist destination.
Other options for carparking outside the study area may be investigated through a separate process if the opportunity arises but are not considered within the current scope of the LVV project. It is envisaged that the outcomes of the LVV process will inform future discussions regarding the opportunities to reduce vehicle traffic in the Lennox Head village centre, including the investigation of nearby sites for carparking.
Council is working with the local fire service to investigate other sites for its facilities. Until such time as a new location is identified and new infrastructure constructed, the Rural Fire Service will remain at the site located at Mackney Lane.
Council is currently investigating a site for additional preschool facilities to complement those currently operating on Mackney Lane.
The 2012 Ballina Shire Growth Management Strategy (BSGMS) recognises and guides the growth potential of Lennox Head. It also provides key information for the future planning of the road network and other essential services such as water and sewer, and the provision of open space. It also seeks to recognise the special environmental features of this part of the shire.
Ballina Shire Council has a program of reviewing planning in the our urban centres with strategic plans for Ballina (2015), Wardell (2016), Alstonville (2017) proceeding to the implementation phase.
The review process for Lennox Head is scheduled within the next two years. The strategic planning process will involve additional consultation with the Lennox Head community to determine the nature of strategic planning issues that should be further investigated. It is envisaged that the outcomes of the LVV project may also be relevant to this broader planning process.
Any future works associated with the Lennox head village centre upgrade project will involve close liaison with residents and business owners within the impacted area via various communication methods including direct mail.
There may be issues that impact particular businesses. Affected business owners should contact council to discuss their concerns.