A pedestrian crossing has been installed on Joondalup Drive and Ghost Gum Boulevard.
Camera IconA pedestrian crossing has been installed on Joondalup Drive and Ghost Gum Boulevard. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Pedestrian signals make crossings safer in Banksia Grove

Lucy JarvisWanneroo Times

STUDENTS, the elderly, parents with prams and shoppers have safer access across a busy northern suburbs road.

A $280,000 upgrade to the Joondalup Drive-Ghost Gum Boulevard junction included installation of pedestrian crossings.

The signals were activated on October 14, making it safer and easier for people to cross between the southern part of Banksia Grove and the shopping centres.

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Banksia Grove Residents Association chairman Michael Richards said it had been “a real dash” to get across the road before, particularly for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, parents with prams and students going to Joseph Banks Secondary College.

“We’ve had safety concerns for years,” he said.

Wanneroo MLA Sabine Winton, Banksia Grove Residents Association chairman Michael Richards and West Swan MLA Rita Saffioti at the Joondalup Drive crossing.
Camera IconWanneroo MLA Sabine Winton, Banksia Grove Residents Association chairman Michael Richards and West Swan MLA Rita Saffioti at the Joondalup Drive crossing. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Mr Richards said residents were grateful for West Swan MLA Rita Saffioti’s support, who promised the upgrade during the 2017 State Election campaign.

“We’ve had feedback already that the elderly are really positive about it,” he said.

“It’s going to be well used and well received by the community.”

Ms Saffioti said the upgrade improved connectivity for people walking to the shops and helped children get safely to school.

“The intersection required improvement to allow better access to the shopping centre and improve the traffic flow of the area,” she said.

“It’s been really exciting; already I’ve seen more people using this pedestrian crossing than many others,” she said.

“It’s great to see people using it.”

Wanneroo MLA Sabine Winton said it would encourage more people to walk.

“This will give students, parents and shoppers in Banksia Grove a much safer passage when travelling east to west in the suburb,” she said.

“As the suburb grows, it’s important we continue to invest in these sorts of upgrades that give peace of mind to the community.”

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