Proposed bike paths reap rewards of funding

THREE local bike path projects have been given a funding boost by the Department of Transport.

Planned bike paths along Railway Parade in Beckenham, from Cannington to Willetton via Greenfield Street and from Mills Street to Adie Court in Bentley have all received Western Australian Bicycle Network Grants.

The $837,000, 1.37km shared path project along Railway Parade in Beckenham will be built over the next three years, extending it from its current terminus at Lacey Street to Rochester Avenue.

Gosnells Mayor Glenn Dewhurst said the project would also help link a number of key landmarks in the area.

“This project fills a missing link between Beckenham and Kenwick Train Stations and will provide a much-needed connection to Beckenham Primary School and other destinations along William Street, as well as Westfield Carousel, Cannington Leisureplex and Sevenoaks College,” he said.

Cannington MLA Bill Johnston said the path would also improve access to Queens Park Train Station from Kenwick Train Station.

The 4.4km path between Cannington and Willetton will include upgrading the existing Greenfield Street Bridge, helped by a back-loaded grant of $385,000 over the next two years.

It is due to receive $50,000 in the next year, with an additional $335,000 committed in 2020-2021.

Canning Mayor Paul Ng said that path would form a vital link for the two suburbs.

“The Cannington to Willetton project will connect the Canning City Centre, Westfield Carousel and surrounding commercial precinct with the Canning River Regional Park, Riverton Forum and Riverton Leisureplex and extend through to the Willetton commercial, education and sporting precinct via residential areas and past many places of work and education,” he said.

The 2km Mills Street to Addie Court path will receive $310,000 over the next year in funding.