Willis Street is a narrow one-way east-west access street in south Richmond (or LAPM #21 Barkly), in between Church Street and Richmond Primary School. The footpaths are too narrow to be useable.
2018 proposal for a shared zone
In 2018 a resident reported near miss between a driver and people (parent and child) biking home from Richmond Primary School. The driver stopped, then reversed to begin a parallel park, almost striking the people biking. The resident proposed that the street be converted into a 20-30 km/h shared zone and that the lighting be improved. Council assessed the street and advised that drivers need to ‘take extra care’.
2023 proposal for 20 km/h
In October 2023 Councillor Landes observed people using the street and observed that it should be calmed to 20 km/h.
I was really fascinated to watch how a shared road, with plantings, could work. The only thing missing seemed to be a 20 km/h limit (now in Grattan Place) and perhaps something for officers to consider. I am in no doubt, this is how many of Richmond’s streets could be operating.
Cr Landes via Facebook
20 km/h advisory sign
In late October council installed a 20 km/h advisory sign. This is welcome, although not as good as a 20 km/h shared zone.
How you can help
You can help by appearing on the Streets Alive Yarra website as a champion for your local street, neighbourhood, or school.