Pedestrian safety improvements priority for Cook Street

Pedestrian safety improvements are about to get underway at the Cook Street and Shakespeare Street roundabout in Leamington.

The work involves widening the footpath along Cook Street from the bridge to Shakespeare Street and installing a raised safety platform on Shakespeare and will be done in stages to minimise disruption. There will be night works for the construction of the raised safety platform. Construction starts on Wednesday, 29 May and is expected to take around six weeks to complete.

Requests for a safer place to cross Shakespeare Street at the high traffic volume roundabout came from the community and Cambridge Community Board as part of the last Long-Term Plan and was supported by Council’s Urban Mobility Group.

Transport manager Bryan Hudson said there has been a strong desire from our community to make safety improvements for pedestrians, school students and their families that use the intersection.

“The road is a busy one, especially for pedestrians, and the works will make sure residents of all ages and abilities will be able to use our main urban areas safely and conveniently, without the need for a car.”

“As our district grows, our roads are getting busier. Whether people are on foot, bike or behind the steering wheel, we need the roads to be fit for purpose and safe for all users,” Hudson said.

There will be no work done on the road in the lead up to or during the National Fieldays from 12-15 June, although there will be a shoulder closure in place.