Story Lane is a narrow laneway located between shops at 3375 and 3377 Warburton Highway, Warburton. While once used as a connection point by pedestrians, cyclists and northbound vehicles to access Thomas Avenue from the highway, the laneway was temporarily closed to traffic in December 2019 after a street-sweeper hit part of a building while turning into the lane. Following a request for Council to consider keeping Story Lane permanently closed, Council surveyed traders and property owners in the area in July 2020 to get their thoughts.

While feedback on the proposal was mixed, it also highlighted that any decision on the future of Story Lane should also address challenges regarding the turning circle at the end of Thomas Avenue near the lane.

We're are now inviting residents, businesses and visitors who use the area to help shape Council’s final decision on the future of Story Lane.

There are three options currently being considered. Learn more about the options below and tell us what you think in the survey.

Drop in sessions

Council staff will be available to answer questions and talk about the options at the:

  • Upper Yarra Arts Centre, (3409 Warburton Highway, Warburton) each Wednesday and Friday from 1 pm - 4 pm (7 to 30 April)
  • Warburton Valley Market 2 May from 11 am - 3 pm

Option 1

Option 1 - Story Lane open to northbound traffic with supporting works to improve turning area on Thomas Avenue.

Benefits

  • One-way arrangement along Story Lane historically operated in this manner.
  • Improved vehicle access when compared to the full closure
  • Improved facilities for vehicles to turn around along Thomas Avenue.

    • Challenges

  • The one-way system may be ignored if the lane is only lightly trafficked and the potential conflict from opposing traffic appears low
  • Vehicle speeds may increase given the grade from Warburton Highway down towards Thomas Avenue
  • Emergency vehicles may have to travel the wrong way in emergencies, which may create a hazard
  • There is on-street parallel parking on Warburton Highway immediately west of the crossover to Story Lane, which means that vehicles approaching the laneway from Warburton Highway wishing to turn left in have limited sight distance to pedestrians along the footpath beyond the parked cars, they may have to prop partly still in the through traffic lane to give way which could cause rear end type crashes
  • There may be issues accommodating an increase in vehicle sizes in the future
  • There is reduced visibility between vehicles travelling north along Story Lane and vehicles turning around the court bowl which may result in conflict.

    • Option 2

    . Story Lane closed to northbound traffic with supporting works to improve turning area on Thomas Avenue

    Benefits

  • Improves pedestrian safety along the north side footpath of Warburton Highway by removal of northbound vehicles crossing the footpath
  • Removal of vehicle conflict points at the intersection of Story Lane with Thomas Avenue
  • Simplifies turning movements in the vicinity of Warburton Highway and Station Road (opposite Story Lane)
  • Elimination of non-local traffic negotiating the narrow laneway
  • Pedestrian and cyclists have improved safety using the Story Lane link and this can be encouraged with urban design to beautify and encourage this link down to the Yarra River
  • Opportunity to increase on-street parking provision along the north side of Warburton Highway with the removal of the crossover to Story Lane.

    • Challenges

  • Reduction in vehicle access for local residents/ businesses, particularly for those located at the west end of Thomas Avenue
  • Increase in traffic along Thomas Avenue, and at the intersection of Thomas Avenue and Warburton Highway
  • No access for emergency services via the laneway
  • May increase travel times for some road users, particularly those accessing/ egressing the west end of Thomas Avenue.

    • Option 3

    Option 3 - Story Lane open to traffic in a northbound direction without any supporting works (return to the configuration before the temporary closure)

    Benefits

  • Story Lane historically operated in this manner
  • Improved vehicle access when compared to the full closure.

    • Challenges

  • The one-way system may be ignored if the lane is only lightly trafficked and the potential conflict from opposing traffic appears low
  • Vehicle speeds may increase given the grade from Warburton Highway down towards Thomas Avenue
  • Emergency vehicles may have to travel the wrong way in emergencies, which may create a hazard
  • There is on-street parallel parking on Warburton Highway immediately west of the crossover to Story Lane, which means that vehicles approaching the laneway from Warburton Highway wishing to turn left in have limited sight distance to pedestrians along the footpath beyond the parked cars, they may have to prop partly still in the through traffic lane to give way which could cause rear end type crashes
  • There may be issues accommodating an increase in vehicle sizes in the future.

    • Take the survey