Greenmount resident Colin Hughes says there needs to be immediate action to reduce accidents along Great Eastern Highway. Picture: Guanhao Cheng

Four signs for road safety

A serious crash on Great Eastern Highway on November 3 has sparked calls for improved safety measures in the area.
November 14, 2024
Guanhao Cheng

GREENMOUNT resident Colin Hughes says the November 3 serious crash on Great Eastern Highway was a reminder of the dangers along that stretch of road yet to be addressed.

The incident occurred at about 2.30pm near the Scott Street intersection and left a vehicle on its side, requiring attendance from incident response, an ambulance and towing services.

“Changing speed limits cost taxpayers nothing and saves lives and accidents,” Mr Hughes said.

“The idea is to install four signs for safety and reduce the number of accidents on this road.

“Trucks need to get up speed to clear the hill, I understand that, but the two existing signs going up the hill can be moved past Old York Road so that people turning into Innamincka Road, Greenmount Rise, and Old York Road aren’t competing with cars barrelling 80km/h at them.

“Greenmount Primary School is just at the end of Innamincka Road, and the number of parents that have to make that turn onto the road is just insanity to me, especially with the accidents we are having.”

Mr Hughes said Greenmount was also classified as suitable for aged care and residences for seniors and older residents risk their lives every day trying to enter or cross Great Eastern Highway.

“The other part of the change is to move the signs going downhill to the top of the crest and slow it down to 60km/h,” he said.

“Many of the cars coming down are still going 80km/h and don’t start slowing down until they reach the sign sitting past Old York Road, and even then, the change is only 70km/h.

“That’s far too little time to react if a car were to come out from one of the intersecting roads.”

Shire of Mundaring President Paige McNeil said upgrading the Scott Street and Great Eastern Highway intersection was a key advocacy priority for the Shire of Mundaring.

“Main Roads are currently working with the shire staff on a upgraded design but this project remains unfunded,” she said.

“I have called on the candidates for the federal seat of Bullwinkel for black spot funding and we are writing to Road Safety Minister David Michael seeking his support to improve the safety of this intersection.”

Liberal Bullwinkel candidate Matt Moran said many residents had brought up that cluster of intersections on Great Eastern Highway as an issue.

“I have been in conversations with residents and the Shire of Mundaring in relation to the intersection,” he said.

“I’m actively looking at how to make that safer and am looking at getting funding through the black spot program.

“It is a significant issue that needs to be addressed and as someone who grew up on Melville Court which is just off Scott Street, I know the area and issues very well and we need to do more to address the concerns.

“There are some things that can be done immediately to increase the safety of that road such as changing the speed limits.”

Midland MLA Michelle Roberts said she was also in support of the change in speed limits to promote safety there.

“I continue to raise the very real safety concerns of local constituents with the minister and Main Roads,” she said.

“I support a lower speed limit on this section of Great Eastern Highway.”

Mr Hughes said a Main Roads engineer had mentioned previously a long-term solution may be to build flyovers in the intersections.

“That’s going to cost millions of dollars and won’t be a quick fix,” he said.

“In the interim, accidents are still happening, and we need a solution now.

“All we need are four signs for safety.”

Main Roads has been contacted for comment.

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