BEACHAM Street in Coodanup will play host to a six-month speed cushion trial, with Mandurah councillors voting in favour of the traffic management tool at Tuesday night’s meeting.
Based on traffic data gathered over several years on the street, between Peel Parade and Wanjeep Road, City of Mandurah officers recommended the section of road would benefit from traffic management devices.
The data showed the average speed of vehicles along the road was 10km/h faster than the speed limit – 50km/h.
While there was some discussion as to whether the City consulted the community on the matter extensively enough, councillors came to the conclusion the installation of removable and reusable speed cushions was the best choice.
When asked by councillor Lynn Rodgers the extent of the City’s community consultation, City of Mandurah technical services manager Terry Blanchard said residents on Beacham Street had been notified by a letter, as well as being invited to two community meetings.
“The initial letter was sent out to those on Beacham Street but not to those on adjacent streets,” he said.
“If you look at a map there are no parallel streets and therefore it is not needed.
“The people who experience the speed are the people who live on Beacham Street.”
Mr Blanchard continued to say the traffic management devices would affect those on adjoining streets, who use Beacham Street, as they would have to slow down.
“Unless we do something I think we’re going to have a serious accident along there and [such accidents] are generally because council hasn’t done anything,” cr Rodgers said.