MAIN ROADS has responded to the call for lower speeds along Great Eastern Highway in Greenmount and says the posted speed limits are appropriate.

“Main Roads has been contacted regarding Great Eastern Highway, in the vicinity of the intersection with Scott Street for a number of issues including noise complaints, heavy vehicles and wide loads travelling uphill as well as requests to reduce the speed limit,” a spokesperson said.

“(We are) working with the (Shire) of Mundaring to assess possible solutions to the problems being experienced in this area, with the removal of the right turn movement out of Scott Street, to head east on Great Eastern Highway being considered.

“Main Roads considers the current posted speed limits on this section of Great Eastern Highway to be appropriate.”

It was reported last week in Four signs for road safety, that residents and representatives were in support of a reduction in the speed limit and other safety measures due to the frequency of accidents along Great Eastern Highway.

The response came off the back of a major accident along Great Eastern Highway on November 3 where the collision involved in the collision ended  up flipped on its side.

Greenmount resident and former head of East Metropolitan Health Service Colin Hughes said Main Roads’ response to community concern and the concerns of shire and parliamentary representatives was “appalling”.

“How can they justify not acting on what the RAC has identified as a black spot high risk intersection?”

“How can they reduce the speeds on the Great Eastern Highway bypass to 70km/h at the stroke of a pen but not reduce the speeds at such a dangerous intersection?

“What gives a public servant the right to overturn community concerns, especially when it would cost little or nothing to taxpayers (and) potentially save lives?

“The community would love to have their say on long term solutions but the first question we need answered is how long (that will) take.

“How many accidents will occur during that waiting time?”

Shire of Mundaring President Paige McNeil said upgrading the intersection remained a priority for the shire.

“We continue to call for federal blackspot funding,” she said.

“Shire of Mundaring staff are collaborating with Main Roads on possible design solutions.”

Liberal Bullwinkel candidate Matt Moran said he wanted to know why Main Roads deemed the current speed limits appropriate after being contacted about the issues.

“I’m keen to understand why Main Roads believes the current speed limits are appropriate given community concern about safety,” he said.

“I will continue to fight for safer roads in Bullwinkel, and I will look at funding opportunities.

“I’ll continue to work with the Shire of Mundaring and local residents to do everything we can to make our roads safer for our community.”