The Traffic Accident Commission has granted $100,000 to Wangaratta Council to extend a project that will lower speeds to 40km/h and add four pedestrian crossings in the city.
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Plans released ahead of Tuesday's council meeting show the slow zone will not just be limited to Wangaratta's central business district - if approved by councillors.
The 40km/h zone would extend to Faithfull Street in the north, where bars and restaurants are located; Cusack Street to the south west, in the city's health district; and Chisholm Street to the south east, near a primary school and adult education centre.
The council allocated $155,000 to the project in its 2018/19 budget, before the extra $100,000 was granted by the TAC.
"There were no significant objections raised regarding the pedestrian crossings or CBD 40km/h area," the March council agenda stated.
"Some dissatisfaction was expressed that crossings would delay vehicle traffic for the benefit of pedestrians (and) there was no need to change the current arrangements."
The lower speed limits would have to be approved by Regional Roads Victoria, which is an offshoot of VicRoads.
Wangaratta Council has started initial discussions with RRV and planned to make a formal submission if the plans are endorsed by councillors.
Council staff found it was "likely" that the community and businesses would see speed limit changes as a negative, that works would not result in improved CBD safety, and the project cost would increase due to extra requirements from authorities.
But the commitment was to explain the reasons behind the changes and ensure that lowering speed limits were not the only changes made to improve safety.
The works are scheduled to be completed by the end of June this year.
The Wangaratta Council meeting will be held at Edi Upper Hall on Tuesday from 6pm.
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