Ascot developments a disaster for traffic, says horse trainer

AN Ascot racehorse trainer says new developments in the area will be a disaster for traffic and safety in the historic precinct.

Clayton Scoby-Smith has been training horses since the early 1990s across Perth and currently trains 11 horses at stables on Moreing Street.

With the recent approval of a petrol station, medical centre, fast food outlets and more on Great Eastern Highway, along with various other buildings in the area, Mr Scoby-Smith said traffic is a big concern for locals.

“With the amount of businesses here, it’s going to become a hazard,” he said.

“It will be a disaster.

“Development is development, it’s progress. That’s not a concern. What will affect us is the traffic. Most people don’t respect animals on the road.

“I’ve had a lot of experience with idiots, they’ll sideswipe you, come close to you, it’s dangerous.”

Mr Scoby-Smith said drivers in the area frequently ignored stop signs and speed advisories, with couriers, sand-tippers, concrete trucks and more zooming past horses on the road.

“It’s quite scary,” he said.

“We’ve got councillors in the industry, they understand racing and they really have to be open to making changes.”

Mr Scoby-Smith said drivers and workers needed to have an awareness of the horses in the area, with $200,000 to $300,000 worth of animals at his Moreing Street stables alone.

“This whole area is a hub for racing, and it’s been here so many years,” he said. “It’s slowly being pushed out; it’s a hard business, and development is slowly driving us out of here.”

City of Belmont acting chief executive Robin Garrett said no traffic incidents in the Epsom Avenue, Moreing Street and Matheson Road area had been reported to the City in the last 12 months.

He said the Ascot stables area was a designated 40km/h speed zone signed by Main Roads, there were horse and rider signs, two local area traffic management devices, and segregated pathways on key routes to provide protection.

“If vehicles are witnessed travelling over the speed limit or if there is a regular offender that can be identified by vehicle or licence plate, residents should contact the police,” he said.

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