Inglewood on Beaufort (IOB) community network is pushing for a 40km/h speed zone along a stretch of Beaufort Street from Walcott Street in Mt Lawley to Wood and Nelson streets in Inglewood, which would flash 40km/h at peak periods but return to 60km/h afterwards.
IOB secretary Damien Giudici said cars used “excessive” speed on the stretch, which had caused many car accidents and near misses.
“Beaufort Street through the Mt Lawley town centre used to suffer the same affliction until the City of Vincent, Main Roads and community groups implemented a variable 40km/h speed zone,” he said.
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READ NOW“IOB is keen to work with the City and Main Roads on behalf of businesses and the community to find a way forward that reduces speeds and returns a village vibe to our main street, makes it easier to cross the road, encourages more alfresco dining and helps businesses who are currently struggling to attract more customers.”
Mr Giudici said there was a 40km/h zone for the successful Inglewood Night Markets but locals wanted it to be permanent.
The City requested a lowering of the speed limit in 2005 and 2009 but Main Roads rejected the submissions on grounds that drivers would not comply with a limit and the road environment was not conducive to a lower speed.
Stirling engineering design manager Paul Giamov said the City would conduct revised traffic count surveys to submit to Main Roads.
Mr Giamov said the City supported lowering the speed limit but were yet to determine if 50km/h was a better option.
Maylands MLA Lisa Baker, whose office is on Beaufort Street in Inglewood, said she had seen consistent community support for traffic calming over the past nine years.
“I have written to the Transport Minister to request a review and consideration of reduced traffic speeds along Beaufort Street,” she said.
Mondo Butchers owner and Inglewood on Beaufort chairman Vince Garreffa, who has been on Beaufort for 18 years, said slowing the speed down would help local businesses.
“People have been telling us because they slow down for the markets they have seen all the businesses in Inglewood; they can’t believe there are so many they had missed,” he said.
“Beaufort Street is not supposed to be a highway.”
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