A TRIAL aimed at easing congestion on the eastern side of Cockburn Central does not look like becoming permanent, if comments from nearby businesses are any indication.
Between December 7 and December 22 last year, the City of Cockburn diverted traffic leaving the train station carpark on Knock Place during afternoon peak periods.
A temporary barrier was installed to ensure cars leaving Knock Place could only turn left on to Solomon Road.
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READ NOWThe goal was to guide traffic through to the traffic lights at the Armadale Road and Verde Drive intersection via Solomon Road and Cutler Road.
We Like to Party owner John Brew pulled no punches in his assessment of the trial.
“It’s probably the worst idea put forward,” he said.
“There were cars going out anywhere they could.
“All you could hear was car horns. We were just waiting for a road rage incident.
“I’d hate to be the guys putting the barriers in each afternoon. They would have copped some flak.”
Autobarn store manager Justin Clarke said the trial offered little.
“It didn’t really do a lot. It just made it harder for people coming out,” he said.
“Some people did use the detour but most were U-turning at the last witch’s hat and going out as normal.”
Cockburn engineering and works services director Charles Sullivan said the trial successfully reduced delays commuters experienced when trying to leave Knock Place, but admitted the trial was not perfect.
“The forced diversion of traffic did result in some, mostly anticipated, issues in other locations on the surrounding road network,” he said.
After watching the trial firsthand and speaking to motorists and traffic controllers, Jandakot MLA Joe Francis was keen for the route to be implemented permanently.
“The general response was extremely positive,” he said.
“It may require some fine tuning but clearly it was an overwhelming success and I strongly support it being implemented permanently.”
Mr Sullivan said the City would review the trial before any decision on the future of the detour was made.
“The City isn’t able to finalise its position on what actions will follow the trial until all trial feedback has been analysed,” he said.