Kogarah Council has approved a 40km/h speed limit zone in the Kogarah CBD as a response to the death of Kogarah schoolgirl Aneri Patel.
Miss Patel, 16, died on September 15 after a four-wheel-drive crashed into the O’Reilly & Daly Chemist at Kogarah, demolishing half the shop and seriously injuring two others.
The driver, Puipuimaota Galuvao, was charged with several driving offences including dangerous driving occasioning death and driving without a licence. She is due back in court in February.
The reduced speed limit (down from 50km/h) was one of the recommendations of a review that followed Miss Patel’s death.
Kogarah mayor Michael Platt said the implementation of the 40km/h zone would be implemented in two stages.
‘‘The area around the intersection will be established immediately, and an extended zone throughout the CBD will be established in early 2015,’’ he said.
‘‘Council will be ensuring that the community is advised of the new speed limit as the zones are implemented.
‘‘Introduction of a 40km/h zone will improve safety not only around the intersection where the accident occurred but right across the Kogarah CBD.’’
Cr Platt said the RMS would be asked to install 40km/h perimeter signage immediately to delineate the intersection at Railway Parade, Railway Parade North, Montgomery Street and Regent Street as a ‘‘high pedestrian activity area’’.
Also, a detailed design of the kerb extension on Montgomery Street, adjacent to Post Office Lane, would be prepared and submitted to the RMS for approval.
‘‘The immediate reaction was for the council and the state government to work together to address the issue,’’ Cr Platt said.
‘‘We did our very best to make sure a tragedy like this never happens again.’’
Following a comprehensive investigation, the Minister for Roads and Freight, Duncan Gay, announced a staged $400,000 package of safety works to be delivered immediately; within six months; and within 12 months.
Works in the immediate package include improved lane markings to better identify turning lanes; reducing the speed limit to
40km/h to slow the traffic in this high pedestrian activity area; and moving the bus stop where Miss Patel died.
The six-month package will include installing a physical barrier from the corner extending south of Railway Parade and bollards on the intersection’s kerb.
Within 12 months there will be a review of the traffic signals at the intersection and any necessary adjustments made; a possible 10km/h shared zone will be investigated; and bus timetables reviewed so that pedestrians do not have to rush from one mode of public transport to the other and negotiate this busy intersection in a hurry.
Will the changes make a difference to safety?
