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Gran Fondo: organisers commit to route changes to avoid traffic woes

Lynn GriersonHills Avon Valley Gazette

Shire of Mundaring President David Lavell said the event trial in March was a disaster, with the race “effectively cutting the Shire in half”, which resulted in thousands of people stuck in traffic and unable to leave their properties.

“The Shire would not approve any route that used Great Eastern Highway, Stoneville Road or Toodyay Road,” he said.

“The Shire is pleased to note the route will now travel from Perth to Kalamunda, across Mundaring Weir Road and down Phillips Road to Glen Forrest, weaving through Darlington and Boya,” he said.

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Cr Lavell said Shire officers had worked closely with organisers to ensure better communication and traffic management would be in place for the final race on September 4 (Father’s Day).

“Access to areas affected by the race will be possible through designated detours and managed intersections,” he said.

“While there will be some inconvenience in the morning when riders come through, no residents will be ‘locked in’.”

The Shire’s budget for 2016-17 included $10,000 towards the promotion of the event.

More than 1000 international, national and local cyclists will ride from Elizabeth Quay across Perth to finish in Kalamunda.

Gran Fondo begins with a time trial at Rottnest Island on Thursday, September 1, with a mainland team relay the following day and the final race uphill to Kalamunda.

Female riders and men aged 55 years and over will race a 105.8km course, while male cyclists aged under-55 complete an extra loop, and finish in the same location after 154.5km.