New 30km/hr speed limit for parts of Melbourne

The speed limit will be dropped from 40km/h to 30km/h for streets in the inner-north Melbourne suburbs of Collingwood and Fitzroy in a road safety push.

A 12-month trial conduct by Yarra City Council will kick off within the next few weeks, following a $250,000 grant from the Transport Accident Commission.

Eight kilometres of road, taking in Alexandra Parade, Hoddle, Johnston and Nicholson streets, will be within the reduced speed zone.

Motorists who exceed the new limit will be fined by police.

Mayor of the City of Yarra Daniel Nguyen said the trial comes after a survey which revealed there had been about 100 local road-related incidents over the last five years.

“We’ve seen that 90 percent of incidents in the area are related to cyclists, pedestrians and other road users,” Mr Nguyen said.

He added that the trial is about “reclaiming the streets”.

“It’s about us ensuring we can all utilise the streets in a safe and harmonious way.”

RACV Mobility Advocacy Manager Dave Jones criticised the council’s slow-down measures.

“Road safety is important, but we’re wondering if it’s worth $250,000 of government funds,” Mr Jones told 9NEWS.

“There are bigger and better road safety projects in country Victoria… more important than reducing the speed limit in this area.”

He said measured speeds in the area already average around the 34km/h mark despite having a 40km/h limit.

The trial received support from locals this morning, with a number of parents telling 9NEWS  it was a “great idea” and “awesome”.

“I think drivers and cyclists need to be more understanding of one another… it would be lovely if we could push everyone towards thinking of each other,” Mark Bernstein said.