Road Safety / Opinion
Community forum aims to make Lygon Street sparkle
Everyone is welcome to bring their ideas to a forum on July 25, writes Andrea Bunting from Walk On Merri-bek
Friday, July 19, 2024
OVER the past few decades, the number of people using Lygon Street in Brunswick East has grown enormously.
It is particularly busy in the evenings due to the many bars and restaurants.
Previously the main evening activity was south of Glenlyon Road, but this has now extended further north. The increased number of multi-story apartment blocks means that there are a lot more people living on or near Lygon Street. And it has two busy two tram routes.
The people who use Lygon Street are mostly locals.
Walk on Merri-bek commissioned surveys of people in the street during the Stop Bunnings Glenlyon campaign, and found that the majority of people walked there. Some cycled or used public transport. But only one in seven people came by car.
Sadly, Lygon Street is perhaps Merri-bek’s worst location for pedestrian injuries from road crashes, particularly at intersections.
Most are occurring at night-time. We think the poor street lighting may be contributing to this. Lygon Street is also bad for cyclists and motorcyclists being injured. We have spoken with traders — for example near Ann Street —who have identified crash hotspots near their premises.
Lygon Street needs more attention from our local and state governments.
Safety initiatives along Lygon Street haven’t kept up with growth in the number of people using the strip.
Lygon Street intersections need to be made safer for people crossing. The 40 kph speed limit could also apply at night-time, as on Sydney Road. Cycling safety needs to be addressed. Tram routes 1 and 6 also need accessible tram stops, for disability and pram access – indeed for anyone with a heavy shopping trolley.
Most walking infrastructure that has been installed on Lygon Street is in the section south of Glenlyon Road. The northern section, with its growing number of retail businesses and residents, also needs its fair share of infrastructure. Making the northern section more attractive will also help it to thrive as the southern section does now.
We are sure that other locals will have their own ideas about what Council and State Government can to do make Lygon Street SPARKLE: Safe, Pedestrian-friendly, Accessible, Resplendent, Klassy, Luminous and Enticing.
To gather and share ideas from local residents and traders, Walk on Merri-bek and Brunswick Residents Network are planning a community forum at 6.30pm on Thursday, July 25. All are welcome to attend at the Craftsman Corner Bar and Kitchen, 313 Lygon Street, Brunswick East.
The one-hour forum will be held upstairs, with the option of staying on for informal discussion downstairs, with drinks and food available for purchase. We have invited councillors and the state MP to hear our concerns.
So please do come to the community forum and share your thoughts. If you can’t make it, you can email ideas to Brunswick Residents Network at brunswickresidentsnetwork@gmail.com
Andrea Bunting is a Brunswick resident and convenor of Walk On Merri-bek
