Community engagement was undertaken with local residents and surrounding streets within the Living Street catchment area with both concept plans mailed out to 432 residents and ratepayers showing the proposals and seeking feedback through our survey.

We also door knocked properties and business owners in May Street between 26 May and 2 June.

The consultation was opened from 5 May to 26 May 2021, where we received 24 responses to the proposals. During our interactions and conversations with the community the following key themes for May Street were identified:

• speed of cars travelling in May Street
• cut through traffic between West Lakes Boulevard and Port Road
• excessive truck movements in the southern ‘residential’ section of the street.

Overall the submissions received had identified that 46% supported Option B – At Grade Intersection Treatment, 42% supported Option A – Two-Way Driveway Link, with a small percentage not having a clear preference.

Following analysis of the survey responses, the following themes were noted:

In support of the plan

• It will eliminate heavy vehicles
• It will slow traffic
• Safer for residents
• Speed plateaus over choke points
• Roundabout preferred

Not in support of the plan

• Speed plateaus over choke points
• Roundabout preferred

Other comments made regarding the streetscape upgrade

• Landscaping needs to fit in with the area
• Update signage on both ends
• Neither option was preferred
• Exiting Spotlight onto May Street is an issue
• Narrowing the road will reduce parking
• It will cause traffic congestion
• Bad for trucks

Several residents took the time to share their own experiences of witnessing speeding along the street and their gratitude for the proposed upgrade options.

A full feedback report including all the comments along with photo montages of the proposed before and after is now available in the document library.

Project Outcome

While Option B has marginally higher support, based on all our discussions with residents there was not a strong preference or significant concern with either of the options.

Option A – Two Way Driveway Link, would best address the speed, cut through traffic and truck concerns raised throughout the consultation. For these reasons, we have resolved to proceed with Option A in May Street.

Based on your feedback we have amended the plan to include:

• Left turn arrow at the Port Road end of May Street
• car parking space added at the driveway link treatment

While we heard concerns about perceived loss of parking, speed, and why the treatments proposed in May Street, we have addressed these in the table below.

#	Key concern raised	Response
1	Parking being removed	Parking is removed at the north eastern end of May Street adjacent Spotlight to allow space for B-double trucks accessing the business at that end of May Street only. Parked cars in this location cause sight distance and access issues for vehicles entering and exiting the street.
2	Removal of the left turn on May Street onto Port Road	The slip lane will remain closed, as per the plan however a left turn arrow at the Port Road end of May Street will be added.
3	Narrowing the road from 12m to 8m	12m wide roads promote higher speeds and are normally attributed to roads that carry high amounts of vehicles (e.g. Clarke Terrace Seaton OR Marlborough Street Fulham Gardens) not local streets. An 8-metre-wide roadway enables parking on both sides of the street while naturally assisting with slower vehicles speeds, without having to change the speed limit. By having a wider verge with greening allows us to decrease our urban heat footprint in increase amenity in the street.
4	Slow points will impact trucks getting into properties	Large commercial vehicles are only permitted to use the northern end of May Street. Slow points will further deter and ensure larger vehicles do not access the Southern end of the street as a cut through. The location of the current signage at the West Lakes Boulevard end will be reviewed.
5	Speed humps instead Driveway Link / At grade intersection treatment	Large commercial vehicles are permitted to use the northern end of May Street and speed humps would affect their day to day activities. Residents were also consulted in previous years and the speed humps are a high impact solution with locations difficult to implement as a result of conflict of interest.

An updated Option A concept is available to view.

The final project scope will now include:

• Installation of a raised two-way driveway link to slow vehicles at the approach of the intersection
• Reconstruction of the road pavement from Port Road to West Lakes Boulevard
• Replacement and realignment of kerb and gutter for the entire length of street
• Installation of three at grade slow points – one between Port Road and Grace Street and two between Grace Street and West Lakes Boulevard.
• Replacement of all footpaths for the entire length of street – 2.5m wide path on western side and 1.5m wide path on the eastern side
• Widened verges to enhance greening, with landscaped drainage swales on the western side
• Raingardens within the verges at the intersection of Grace/Jervois/May Street to filter local stormwater
• New verge and landscaping with the Port Road slip lane closure
• Installation of a car parking space at the driveway link treatment
• New dedicated left turn lane with arrow at the Port Road end
• Yellow no parking line on eastern side from Port Road to first slow point

Next Steps

We are currently finalising the detailed design for the May Street upgrade and anticipate that works would commence over the coming months. A start date has not yet been confirmed, however those directly impacted by the construction will be notified by our appointed contractor closer to the time of commencing.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who took the time to view the consultation materials, provided feedback and made the time to speak with us. Your participation is very much appreciated.