AHL Group says median strip stopping right turn to Como Hotel negatively affecting business

THE recent extension of a median strip that stops cars turning right into the Como Hotel is negatively affecting business, according to Australian Leisure and Hospitality (AHL) Group national property manager Barry Cloke.

Installed in late-January, the median extension east across Norton Street was jointly funded by Main Roads WA (MRWA) and the City of South Perth, with each contributing $21,648.

The Como Hotel owner operator said based on the company’s own research, the median strip extension did not improve safety.

ALH Group got the green light to demolish the BWS and alter the hotel in 2015 but the approval lapsed and an application to extend it until 2019 is currently with the State Administrative Tribunal after the Metro Joint Development Assessment Panel refused the request in February.

Mr Cloke said the requirement for a median extension was to be reviewed on completion of the hotel redevelopment.

“This is a situation we are not at all pleased about as we are respectful of the neighbouring amenity and as a result of the works customers are now forced to turn right into South Terrace, Sandgate Street and Norton Street to enter the hotel,” he said.

“As the owners responsible for the daily operations of the hotel, we anticipated that once the development was complete including significant upgrades to the main ingress and egress at South Terrace, we would work with the City and MRWA to evaluate any other works that may have been required.

“Unfortunately, the recent actions of the City and MRWA have significantly and adversely impacted on these plans and disadvantaged both the hotel and Norton Street residents.”South Perth Mayor Sue Doherty said MRWA had previously advised the City it would support the closure of the median.

“At the November 2017 special council meeting, the council resolved to commence discussions with Main Roads in relation to the proposal to extend the Canning Highway median strip northeast to a point past Norton Street to prevent a right turn into and out of the intersection,” she said.

“Main Roads has always maintained that the Norton Street and Canning Highway intersection must operate as a left in and left out movement with a solid median and had advised the City they would support the closure of the median if it was ever requested.

“There was no reason to believe there would be any impact on adjacent streets with all nearby streets off Canning Highway having appropriate traffic management, speed calming measures in place and an ability to absorb any minor increase in traffic.”

MRWA spokesman Dean Roberts said the works, initiated and constructed by the City, supported long-term plans for Canning Highway.

“The median closure will have safety and congestion benefits,” he said.

“A solid median will assist in the efficient flow of traffic and reduce the incidence of crashes.”

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