FAQs

The purpose of the proposed Cambridge Parade, Arnold Street and Melville Terrace intersection improvements project at Manly is to improve safety for all road users following a project site visit that identified existing operational performance issues.

The existing crossfall on Cambridge Parade, west to the intersection at the same location as the proposed raised speed platform and coloured road markings is 5 to 15 percent, whereas the maximum grade for a pedestrian path to be compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 is 5 percent.

The location is right on the 50-40km/h speed zone transition, due to the known speeding issue within the precinct it is not considered an ideal location for a raised pedestrian crossing.

The bicycle bypass provided for the west-bound cycle route would not be able to be incorporated into a raised pedestrian crossing requiring cyclists to use the roadway while operating at a slower speed than other motorists when travelling on an uphill gradient.

A Slow for SAM sign has not been included as a feature in Design A or B as the primary purpose is to raise awareness of the posted speed not motorist travel speeds. Installation near or on approach to a conflict point such as crossing points, bends or intersections has potential for motorists to focus on the Slow for SAM and not the road environment, which is undesirable. Further, a Slow for SAM sign cannot be installed where there is a speed zone transition, in this instance the change between 50km/h–40km/h.

Please note that a Slow for SAM sign is not a permanent fixture and is physically relocated to other footing sites every 6-months.

Queensland Government’s Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) Part 4 - Speed Controls states that it should not be assumed that the provision of a lower speed limit will address all perceived road safety problems or even alter motorist travel speeds. Given Council has conducted speed surveys and identified a speeding issue within the precinct, a treatment will need to be implemented. Installation of a traffic calming treatment such as a raised speed platform proposed in Design A or coloured road markings in Design B will assist to discourage speeding along Cambridge Parade.

Council understands the importance of on-street parking for the community.

As part of this intersection improvements project, we will formalise 30 on-street parking spaces with white line-marking along Cambridge Parade, between Melville Terrace and Stratton Terrace.

Each proposed concept plan design involves removal of on-street parking spaces with 5 required for removal to complete Design A and 8 for Design B.

The parking marked for removal in the proposed Design A and B concept plans are to achieve desired sightlines for motorists and pedestrians when exiting Arnold Street or Melville Terrace. Design B requires greater parking loss to achieve desired sightlines because the proposed new coloured road markings do not physically guarantee motorists will slow down in comparison to the raised speed platform proposed in Design A.

It is important to be aware that the streets are a community asset and belong to everyone and Council cannot guarantee that residents or visitors will have on-street parking available to them with parking available on a first in, first served basis.

As indicated in Design A and B, the existing Stop signs on Melville Terrace and Arnold Street will be replaced with Give Way signs. Stop signs are only installed where there is a clear sight distance deficiency, in situations that cannot meet the requirements due to physical obstruction or road geometry. In this instance we can remove select on-street parking spaces to meet the standards.

Please be advised that the use of Stop signs in locations with adequate sight distance does not provide additional safety benefits and can lead to a loss of ‘credibility’ and their effectiveness in general will be compromised.

Road classification

Cambridge Parade is classed as a District road in Brisbane City Plan 2014 (City Plan) and is configured as a single moving lane in each direction, plus parking lanes. Arnold Street and Melville Terrace are classed as Neighbourhood roads. If you would like to find out more about road classifications, please visit the FAQs tab in the top right-hand side of this webpage.

Zoning

Cambridge Parade is a key link between Manly foreshore in the east and Manly Train Station to the west providing access to surrounding local businesses including restaurants, cafés and other food outlets, local commercial and retail outlets and an Independent Grocers of Australia store (IGA).