Speed reduction will hurt business, says transport boss

The head of Phillip Island’s peak transport company has criticised parts of the proposed speed limit reductions, describing them as “excessive” and predicting an economic impact.

Director of South Coast Bus and Taxi Michael Wright (pictured) said he was “generally supportive” of RRV’s proposed speed review, adding he understood the importance of wildlife protection, including to attract visitors.

Mr Wright, who has 50 commercial passenger vehicles, said to move “safely and efficiently around the area, roads matter” and he was particularly concerned about the 60kph limit proposed for Coghlan Road and Cowes-Rhyll Road.

“This is excessive to say the least,” Mr Wright said, adding he also had concerns other roads (including Harbison Road, Pyramid Rock Road and Watts Road) could have a reduction. Arterial roads on the island are a finite resource and so we need to find balanced solutions. We shouldn’t exclude one user for the sake of others.”

Mr Wright said his concerns were shared by industrial estate businesses, which had doubled in occupancy over the past decade. He said because of main street congestion, Coghlan Road was the only viable access to the industrial estate, “making this important link even more critical”.

“Thompson Avenue could not handle the extra traffic should Coghlan Road be downgraded.”

Mr Wright said there were twice as many islanders employed in trades and services as there were in accommodation and hospitality.

“While Covid has been devastating for the visitor economy what last year taught us is there is a substantial locally reliant economy that isn’t as attached to visitors as we thought. Slowing down our roads has an economic impact, that’s the facts and so balance needs to prevail. Why should this cost be put back onto industry?”

Mr Wright agreed that while traffic congestion was a nightmare on long weekends and summer holidays, “most of us have adapted to avoiding this”.

“The concept of ‘you’re on island time’ has been pitched in support of reductions. ‘Island Time’ may support 100kph to 80kph respecting the island’s special environment but down to 60kph on long stretches of road like Cowes-Rhyll Road is a stretch too far.

“We have relatively long distances to cover on a daily basis and are not a small island where we can all drive around in golf carts like Hamilton Island. There is only one road onto and across most of the island and only one road from Cowes to Rhyll. With no plans to substantially improve alternatives like public transport options, the private car will dominate.”

Mr Wright questioned if roadkill could even be avoided at 60kph.

“Our experience is you can be subject to a wildlife incident at as little as 40kph.”

He said Newhaven College had “dynamic speed limits” at school times reducing the road speed from 80kph to 40 kph.

“The rest of the time the road goes on as normal. Why can’t we slow speed limits down only when they are needed, like dawn and dusk for example?”

He suggested wildlife could be funnelled using fences into crossing points or underpasses.

Mr Wright said while the RRV consultation process was “robust”, he cautioned that local residents and industries “should not be left out of the conversation”.

“Please speak up to ensure your interests are not eroded and we find a balanced road network that meets ‘all’ our needs.”

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