People in Hobsons Bay are set to benefit from improvements to two key hotspots along the Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail which will improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

Member for Williamstown Wade Noonan said the $176,366 Trail Hotspots Rectification Project included improvements at Ferguson St roundabout and the intersection where the trail passes through the Anchorage Restaurant Precinct off The Strand.

“These locations are particularly busy and were chosen for upgrade to eliminate potentially dangerous situations where cyclists, pedestrians and cars are intersecting,” Mr Noonan said.

“I am very pleased to say that pedestrian and cyclist safety has now significantly improved with the removal of existing hazards, improvement of sight distances, and reduced interaction between cars and trail users.”

The Mayor of Hobsons Bay Councillor Bill Tehan welcomed the Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail upgrade.

“The Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail is a popular trail among both pedestrians and cyclists, and it is important that it is maintained to ensure the safety of all users,” Cr Tehan said.

“The upgrade rectified a number of hazards, including widening the trail, fixing a sharp bend to improve the visibility of oncoming traffic, and realigning the trail so that it no longer travelled through a car park and nearby bollards and a rope fence did not protrude onto the trail.

“This jointly funded project between the Brumby Government and Council has resulted in a safe off-road trail for the enjoyment of both pedestrians and cyclists.”

Mr Noonan said this project would not only benefit the many people in the area already walking and cycling but also encourage more people in Hobsons Bay to choose sustainable transport.

“There are tremendous benefits to be gained from walking and cycling – these modes of transport are better for the environment, better for our health, better for our hip pocket and reduce traffic congestion,” Mr Noonan said.

“To date, the grants package has delivered over $14.5 million funding to over 100 local projects across the state,” Mr Noonan said.

For more information about TravelSmart and Local Area Access Program (LAAP) grants visit www.transport.vic.gov.au/sustainable