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Keep Beacon the way it is

Let's stick with what we have for now. I like it fine

Keep Beacon Avenue the way it is — I think the existing  one-way scheme works very well and here's why:

1. It provides an attractive and safe shopping and cafe environment for all including pedestrians and vulnerable road users.

2. It provides easy parking at the side of the road for drivers.

3. It slows the pace of traffic which gives drivers an easier chance to spot somewhere they may wish to visit or park, and makes the environment safer for all.

I suspect that changing to two way traffic might actually reduce business activity and could certainly be detrimental to safety.

There is another option and that would be to make Bevan one way west to east all the way from the Information Centre island to First Street and then make Beacon Avenue one way east to west (reverse of the current one way) all the way from First Street to the Information Centre island.

The Information Centre service could then be transferred to the Mary Winspear Centre and the island reshaped to allow an anti-clockwise traffic flow around it. This would remove any of the existing left turn manoeuvres across oncoming traffic for vehicles turning off or coming across the highway. Additional traffic calming measures could be considered for both Beacon and Bevan Avenues.

I don't think this option would be very popular with owners of commercial outlets in Beacon Avenue though, as drivers from the highway would not be able to go straight down Beacon.

So, in my view, let's stick with what we have for now. I like it fine.

Charles Downing

Sidney