Residents find common ground in Applecross traffic diversion debate

RESIDENTS for and against the Applecross traffic diversions have found some common ground, united in their belief that the setup currently on trial is preferable to the original solution council experimented with late last year.

While the closure on Macrae Road at Gairloch Street remains in place, an elbow at the intersection of Gairloch and Munro Street was removed in late March.

Applecross Anti-Diversion Group leader Mark Fowler said the removal was a necessary and welcome part of any permanent solution.

“The new setup is a considerable improvement, has opened up more east-west traffic movement and reduced pressure around Applecross Primary School,” he said.

“The key issue has always been about having a permeable road network for the benefit of all Applecross residents but traffic volumes have lessened on Gairloch Street and MacDonald Road since the elbow diversion was removed.

“Further discussion is desirable during the ongoing trial period, via the proposed working group to be facilitated by the City of Melville and this should indicate what permanent solutions are suitable.”

Representing those in favour of the diversions, Macrae Road resident Ross Stuart said most of the opposition to the original closures was directed at the elbow on Munro Street.

“Since councillor Cameron Schuster’s solution of removing the elbows has been implemented, opposition to the closures seem to have reduced significantly,” he said.

“Furthermore, there was a concern that Munro would become the next ‘rat-run’ but that doesn’t appear to have happened.

“Overall, I think the current changes have been a big improvement and should form the basis of the final solution.”