Abbey Lane is a narrow laneway located between the shop in Smithville. While once used as a connection point by pedestrians, cyclists and northbound vehicles to access from the highway, the laneway was temporarily closed to traffic after a street-sweeper hit part of a building while turning into the lane.

While feedback on the proposal was mixed, it also highlighted that any decision on the future of Abbey Lane should also address challenges regarding the turning circle at the end of Cherry Avenue.

We're are now inviting residents, businesses and visitors who use the area to help shape Council’s final decision on the future of Abbey Lane.

There are three options currently being considered. Learn more about the options below and tell us what you think in the survey.

Drop in sessions

Council staff will be available to answer questions and talk about the options at the:

• Andrewville Arts Centre each Wednesday and Friday from 1 pm - 4 pm (7 to 30 April)
• St Gabi on 2 May from 11 am - 3 pm

Benefits

• One-way arrangement along Abbey Lane historically operated in this manner.
• Improved vehicle access when compared to the full closure
• Improved facilities for vehicles to turn around

Challenges

• The one-way system may be ignored if the lane is only lightly trafficked and the potential conflict from opposing traffic appears low
• Vehicle speeds may increase given the grade down towards Cherry Avenue
• Emergency vehicles may have to travel the wrong way in emergencies, which may create a hazard
• There is on-street parallel parking on the Highway immediately west of the crossover to Abbey Lane, which means that vehicles approaching the laneway from the Highway wishing to turn left in have limited sight distance to pedestrians along the footpath beyond the parked cars, they may have to prop partly still in the through traffic lane to give way which could cause rear end type crashes
• There may be issues accommodating an increase in vehicle sizes in the future
• There is reduced visibility between vehicles travelling north along Abbey Lane and vehicles turning around the court bowl which may result in conflict.

Benefits

• Improves pedestrian safety along the footpath of the Highway by removal of northbound vehicles crossing the footpath
• Removal of vehicle conflict points at the intersection of Abbey Lane with Cherry Avenue
• Simplifies turning movements in the vicinity of the Highway and Train Road (opposite Abbey Lane)
• Elimination of non-local traffic negotiating the narrow laneway
• Pedestrian and cyclists have improved safety using the Abbey Lane link and this can be encouraged with urban design to beautify and encourage this link down to the creek
• Opportunity to increase on-street parking provision along the highway with the removal of the crossover to Abbey Lane.

Challenges

• Reduction in vehicle access for local residents/ businesses, particularly for those located at the west end of Cherry Avenue
• Increase in traffic along Thomas Avenue, and at the intersection of Cherry Avenue and the Highway
• No access for emergency services via the laneway
• May increase travel times for some road users, particularly those accessing/ egressing the west end of Cherry Avenue.

Benefits

• Abbey Lane historically operated in this manner
• Improved vehicle access when compared to the full closure.

Challenges

• One-way system may be ignored if the lane is only lightly trafficked and the potential conflict from opposing traffic appears low
• Vehicle speeds may increase given the grade from Warburton Highway down towards Cherry Avenue
• Emergency vehicles may have to travel the wrong way in emergencies, which may create a hazard
• There is on-street parallel parking on the Highway immediately west of the crossover to Abbey Lane, which means that vehicles approaching the laneway from the Highway wishing to turn left in have limited sight distance to pedestrians along the footpath beyond the parked cars, they may have to prop partly still in the through traffic lane to give way which could cause rear end type crashes
• There may be issues accommodating an increase in vehicle sizes in the future.