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Innovative traffic management improves amenity

Busy Chapel Street is famous well beyond Stonnington as a mecca of designer fashion, cutting edge music, night life, and cafe society. While this activity contributes to the area's attraction, it creates difficulties in reconciling 20th century traffic with 19th century street design. Council's parking and traffic strategy aims to balance the pressures of traffic and parking with pedestrian, residential and commercial amenity.

Recent infrastructure projects have offset difficulties satisfying apparently competing objectives. The construction of the three storey Elizabeth Street Carpark at the popular, and recently refurbished, Prahran Market has created additional parking with 24 hour flexibility.

The final section of Shopper Access Routes to improve access to existing carparks has also been completed. Construction of the carpark has meet both trader and shopper needs. The first stage was completed in late October creating additional parking in time for Christmas.

The second stage commences in January, after the busy trading period to minimise disruption. The first hour in the carpark is free. Shoppers who get distracted over a latte, rather than incurring a fine will merely pay an extra dollar or two for the time.

Staffed on a 24 hour basis five days a week, helps ensure safety for the 24 hour lifestyle of the area with its many nightspots and restaurants. The carpark development has also improved amenity for nearby residents. The design includes generous setbacks and landscaping.

"We believe the environment has improved with this construction," said Stephen Sabbatucci General Manager Planning and Development. "Residents now have a physical separation and there will be no through traffic in nearby Barry Street."

The accompanying $2.6 million Shopper Access Route construction has resulted from progressive buying up of obsolete industrial properties. Opened in October, it has substantially reduced Chapel Street traffic conflict without inhibiting trade and other activity.

Running parallel with the redevelopment of the Jam Factory complex, which contributed $1 million to the project, the final section of the Shopper Access Route was completed ahead of time and within budget.

For further information contact Stephen Sabbatucci, telephone (03) 9823 1333.

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