The intersection of Clinton and Cowper streets isn’t a traditional intersection, with traffic turning right from Cowper Street onto Clinton Street having right of way.

Why are we proposing to upgrade this intersection?

  • Most locals are familiar with this intersection, but lots of vehicles travelling into town from the south stop before turning right onto Clinton Street because they don’t realise they have right of way
  • Northern Cowper Street is currently left in and left out only at this intersection, and few people make this turn
  • The current layout makes it hard for people to find a break in traffic to turn right from Clinton Street onto Cowper Street to head south, with waiting times taking up to two minutes
  • The current layout makes it difficult for pedestrians and cyclists to use the intersection, due to a lack of safe crossing points

Potential upgrades at this intersection call for the closure of the northern end of Cowper Street because of the steep nature of this section of road. Traffic modelling shows few people use the left in, left out turn at the northern end of Cowper Street (10 movements per hour during peak times), meaning this is a relatively quiet road and we don’t anticipate its closure to have much of an impact on road users. That being said, we’re keen to hear your feedback on this as well, through our survey.

Transport has carried out initial investigations to determine two options to upgrade the intersection:

Pros

  • Closing the northern end of Cowper Street will help prevent the risk of collisions at the intersection if cars head down this steep road too fast
  • Closing off the northern end of Cowper Street would make this a quieter, safer street for residents
  • Traffic can flow more freely through a roundabout when compared to traffic lights, meaning shorter delays for cars
  • Improved safety when compared to the current layout

Cons

  • People who currently use this turn in and out of northern Cowper Street won't be able to anymore
  • Less safe for people walking and riding bikes when compared to traffic lights, due to lack of crossing points and safe gaps in traffic
  • Roundabouts are harder to navigate for heavy vehicles or cars towing caravans and trailers when compared to the current layout or traffic lights, their wider turning circles means they need to use both lanes
  • More complex to construct when compared to traffic lights, meaning longer disruptions for the community during construction

Pros

  • Safer for people walking and riding bikes because of the priority crossing points, especially for students and staff of Trinity Catholic College
  • Aligns with Council's Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan (PAMP), allowing improved access for future shared user paths along Clinton Street
  • Closing the northern end of Cowper Street will help prevent the risk of collisions at the intersection if cars head down this steep road too fast
  • Closing off the northern end of Cowper Street would make this a quieter, safer street for residents
  • Safer to navigate for heavy vehicles and cars towing caravans or trailers

Cons

  • Traffic would be more stop/start rather than flow freely like with a roundabout