KALAMUNDA council carried a motion to acknowledge the grade separation of Tonkin Highway, Welshpool Road East and Hale Road intersections will severely negatively impact the surrounding road network and road users.

Deputy mayor Dylan O’Connor moved the motion which included the point of expanding the project scope to include construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Lewis Road and Welshpool Road East.

The motion requested city’s staff and councillors to get in contact with the relevant ministers and federal members to demand this.

He said many Kalamunda residents had personal experiences of near misses and vehicle crashes often involving injury and even loss of life associated with the intersection.

“This intersection is already in need of immediate attention and works are currently underway on an interim design while planning takes place for a long-term solution,” he said.

“Historically this intersection has been the location of many crashes.”

Cr O’Connor said the state government’s intention of constructing a grade separation was to ensure motorists could drive safely but the design announcement prompted significant community dissatisfaction.

“Particularly in the Wattle Grove cell nine precinct, who would have travel times increased if they wanted to travel southbound on Tonkin Highway,” he said.

“Preliminary traffic modelling shows that an extra 245 vehicles will be lining up to use the Lewis Road intersection during peak hours just to access Tonkin Highway southbound.

“The government have reported to the city that they intend to deliver this project on time, meaning it will be operational before any serious safety and congestion issues are resolved.

“This is an unacceptable outcome that will place all road users at risk.”

City of Kalamunda Mayor Margaret Thomas seconded the motion, agreeing the intersection was unsafe.

“There’s already lots of crashes and yet we’re going to add to it, add lots more vehicles going there and it’s just not acceptable not to do it all at the same time,” she said.

“We need to send a message to the state government, don’t do one without the other, fund it, do the roundabout as well as the other works you’re taking on.

“So, I urge you to support this motion.”