Push for 40km/h in Wembley rejected

TOWN of Cambridge councillor James Nelson’s push for a 40 km/h speed limit trial within the Wembley Activity Centre has been rejected.

Cr Nelson’s motion to launch the trial along Cambridge Street’s Urban corridor, between Simper and Pangbourne streets, was not supported at a council meeting on Tuesday night.

The trial would have run for 18-months and reduced the speed limit from 60km/h to 40km/h.

Solar LED speed activated signs would have been installed, as well as appropriate road marking, and would have cost the Town $60,000.

Cr Andres Timmermanis said the trial was a “total waste of money”.

“The effective speeds through this stretch are already 40 km/h pretty much,” he said.

“I can’t even say it’s a laudable sentiment because that speed is already achieved in this area.”

Cr Nelson said the trial had the potential to support greater cycling and pedestrian access, provide improved ambience for local shopping, restaurants and cafes and improved safety outcomes.

He said the trial would have added about five seconds to the 15 to 20 minute travel time from Cambridge to the city.

“It would help develop better interactions between the driver, pedestrians and cyclist’s,” he said.

Mayor Keri Shannon said putting up signage would be like “solving a problem that doesn’t exist”.

Ms Shannon said the Town should instead look at approaching Main Roads to seek a speed limit change within the Wembley Activity Centre.

“I don’t support spending $60,000 just to clutter up signage in area” she said.

Cr Jane Powell said the motion was about sending the message to Wembley residents that locals came first.

“It’s not about people travelling through the area but about people who use this precinct as a local strip and have raised concerns that they would like to formalise the speed to 40km/h” she said.