Published on Friday, 19 October 2018 at 9:36:15 AM
A two year 40km/h speed zone trial in Vincent’s southern suburbs will be starting early in the new year, following approval at our Council meeting on 16 October.
A pocket of West Perth has had a 40km/h speed limit in its residential areas since the 1990s and this trial area will extend the 40km/h zone from Charles Street in the West through to the Swan River in the East between Newcastle and Vincent Streets. Main distributor roads will not be included in the trial and will remain at their current speed, with the exception of a small area around Hyde Park on Vincent Street.
“We asked our community what they thought of the trial and it prompted a lot of discussion in person and also on social media. We had almost 400 responses to our community consultation, 57.4% in favour of the trial study,” said Mayor Emma Cole.
“Residents regularly tell me that they are concerned about the speed of traffic and their desire to bring back a neighbourhood feel to their roads. More and more, I hear that 50 is just too fast for our residential streets.”
“The survey results supported this sentiment, with the two main concerns identified by respondents being to make streets safer for all road users and to enhance the neighbourhood feel of streets. We hope this trial demonstrates safer, more welcoming streets, where people can ride and walk safely, and kids feel safe playing outdoors” she said.
The implementation of the trial will be funded by the City of Vincent, with the support of the Road Safety Commission who will fund the study component to be conducted with a research partner. The intention behind the study is that the data and recommendations can be relevant to urban areas across in the Perth metro area and not just in Vincent.
“We hope the trial study will give us some good information about the impact of lower speed limits, make our neighbourhood roads safer and provide a better street environment for all road users and residents in Vincent’s south,” said Mayor Cole.
“We are keen to involve all necessary stakeholders in this trial study and will be guided by a reference group including members from the City of Vincent, Road Safety Commission and other key road safety stakeholders such as Main Roads WA, Department of Transport and the WA Police Force.”
“I am delighted City of Vincent residents and property owners have the opportunity to trial lower speed limits for the safety and amenity of their neighbourhood streets,” said Iain Cameron, Acting Roads Safety Commissioner
“The Road Safety Commission fully supports the City of Vincent and will work with the City and other agencies to implement and support the trial. I expect requests from other local councils who similarly are keen to improve amenity and safety, so people in their local communities can experience and enjoy the benefits that people living in other cities and countries experience and value.” Mr Cameron said
“The 40km/h speed zone trial is a great opportunity for us to research lower residential speed zones right here in Vincent, but we hope the Monash University research will inform an understanding of the benefits to the greater Perth area,” said Mayor Cole.
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