Three new options for proposed Success Hill to Railway Parade principal shared path

THE Department of Transport is developing three alignment options for the proposed Success Hill station to Railway Parade principal shared path, following community concerns over the removal of more than 20 trees.

In 2017, the State Government announced funding to close a 230m missing link on the Midland railway principal shared bike path, from Success Hill station to Railway Parade.

An early concept design proposed the removal 10 medium trees, 12 small trees and six shrubs but the number could be changed after community consultation.

As part of the Green Transport Route initiative, the Department will be providing the Town of Bassendean three replacement trees for each one removed.

Dozens of residents met with the Department, Public Transport Authority, Main Roads WA and Town representatives on November 28 to discuss concerns about the trees, the lack of need for a bike path, narrowing of Railway Parade and other options.

A Department spokeswoman said feedback on three alignment options would guide the final decision on the route.

“These designs will be accompanied by visual simulations and will be presented to the community in early 2019,” she said.

“The timeframe of construction is dependent on the finalisation of the designs and decision on the preferred alignment.”

Town chief executive Peta Mabbs said the walk-through last month provided further opportunity for residents to provide feedback on the proposed design.

“The Town continues to work closely with the Department and residents in order to consider community feedback and is supportive of a meeting with residents prior to the design of the Principal Shared Path being finalised,” she said.

Residents, action group relay concerns to Department

Bassendean resident Carol Seidel said the Department have asked the community to send alternate options and concerns.

“We have been encouraged to come up with options, which seems to be keep as is or paint a designated bike path on the road,” she said.

Success Hill resident Eleanor Tait said Railway Parade at the Success Hill end was a double cul-de-sac with very little traffic so there was no need to install a bike path and remove trees.

Bassendean resident Graeme King suggested the Department could install a car counter at the entrance to the cul-de-sac which would indicate what width of the road was required for cars.

Success Hill resident Peter Pearson said a dedicated path marked out on a smooth bitumen road with few cars on it would be better than a principal shared path.

Cyclists’ Action Group president Bruce Robinson said a “do-nothing” option should be considered because there were other expansions on the Armadale and Fremantle lines to the PSP network that were neglected for.

“Building the PSP on the verge will mean that the downhill section goes right through the path of pedestrians leaving the station,” he said.

“This is inherently dangerous, and pedestrians leaving the station may be distracted by their mobile phones or other diversions when cyclists are riding home downhill with a strong sea-breeze behind them.”