BETTER TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT NEEDED

 

 

Traffic management is often an issue when something is on in Fremantle and the Pipes for Fremantle project by the Water Corporation is another example.

It is silly to put no parking signs at road crossings, because even the most stupid motorists would not park there. It is also inconsiderate to block the footpath in Cliff Street with a huge sign that alerts motorists, but not putting a sign before that to warn pedestrians that they should cross the road. Currently those in wheelchairs, on gophers and with prams have to step onto the busy road to continue walking, and that is dangerous. and unacceptable.

The traffic ‘management’ people stand around with STOP and SLOW signs, but care very little about pedestrians crossing the roads, from my personal observations of walking around the West End daily.

Roel Loopers

 

FREO’S WEST END NOT SEEING RED

 

 

I have been stopped on the street and received emails about the resurfacing of High Street by Pipes for Fremantle. Freo residents and business owners in the West End are concerned that the new bitumen is not red.

The Water Corporation says this is just temporary, as they will properly resurface the entire length of High Street, from Market Street to Little High Street at a later stage, presumably that will be with red tar.

Roel Loopers

FREMANTLE BUDGETS FOR ROAD IMPROVEMENTS

 

The City of Fremantle budget for 2018-19 includes a $2.5 million program to improve and maintain roads. Major resurfacing works have been scheduled for sections along Hampton Road, Rockingham Road, Lefroy Road, Marine Terrace and High Street.

There will also be works to improve road safety for motorists and pedestrians along Stirling Highway, Marine Terrace and McCabe Street.

All of the road millings that are dug up as part of the resurfacing program will be collected and re-used in other city projects, like the upgraded Recycling Centre and the new Cappuccino Strip carpark.

By using recycled materials the City does not have to buy new limestone road base and does not have to pay to dispose of the stripped road material in landfill, so it delivers a significant saving.

The upgrade of a second section of South Terrace in South Fremantle is also included in the budget, with work on the first ‘node’ at the intersections of South Terrace, Little Lefroy Lane and Sydney Street beginning later this month.

The location of a second ‘node’ is still to be confirmed subject to more community feedback. It involves reducing the width of the road, changing the colour of the road surface and widening the footpath, as well as adding new paving, street furniture and trees.

The changes will encourage drivers to slow down, make it safer for people to cross the street and will increase the amount of alfresco space.The works are designed to create a more pedestrian-friendly environment and will also allow the removal of the much debated and disliked temporary speed humps in that section of South Terrace.

Interesting to note that the budget also includes $25,000 to develop a concept plan to create a new town square in front of the Fremantle Railway Station and upgrade Queen Street. 

A new town square and the relocation of the bus port has been debated for very many years but the reluctance of the Public Transport Authority to move the bus port further east means the idea has had a few plans drawn up but was never realised. Why there is need for yet another costly concept plan I do not understand. I won’t hold my breath that we will see any changes there soon.

Roel Loopers

HIGH STREET UPGRADE COMMUNITY CONSULTATION

 

 

The community consultation by Main Roads about the Fremantle High Street/Stirling Highway upgrade is starting with the department sending out letters to nearby residents from today.

The proposed upgrade from Carrington Road to Stirling Highway is part of the $ 2.3 billion Road and Rail Infrastructure package which is funded by the state and federal governments.

Key features for the upgrade are a new roundabout at the intersection of High Street and Stirling Highway, a wide median to separate traffic and preserve mature trees, and a single lane service road for residents north of High Street.

The concept design period is expected to take up to six months so that the community will have ample time to comment and be informed.

People can provide feedback by completing a survey online at https://project.mainroads.wa.gov.au/home/southmetropolitan/highstreet/Pages/default.aspx

Or send an email to highstreetupgrade@mainroads.wa.gov.au<mailto:highstreetupgrade@mainroads.wa.gov.au>

Posting to PO Box 6202 EAST PERTH WA 6892 or phoning 138 138

There will be an information display at the City of Fremantle Library from Monday 7 May.

Roel Loopers

SHOW COMMON SENSE ON THE ROADS OVER EASTER

There is a long weekend coming up again and no doubt more people will die on Western Australia’s roads, and no doubt politicians will blame police and police the government.

Since I arrived in WA in 1984 I have been aware that very many drivers here are not very good and not very considerate and that far too many have no sense of awareness and anticipation. They would not last half an hour on a German Autobahn.

The problem on our roads is not with the police or government or lack of signage, but with inconsiderate motorists who drink and drive, exceed the speed limits and basically don’t care a bit about other road users. They sit in their little castles on wheels, like kings who care little about those peasants who share the roads with them and are just a nuisance that stop them driving from A to B very fast and in the most reckless way.

When did WA allow people to drive cars without knowing the road rules? When did using indicators go out of fashion and when were speed limits just something that made you go faster instead of slowing down?

I drive my car every day and have near misses at least twice a week with people who ignore road rules. They speed through roundabouts and orange and red traffic lights, they ignore stop signs and have no idea how to merge, or they do but don’t care because it is more important to get one car space ahead in the traffic jam.

On Fremantle social media people complain how unfair it is that they have received speeding fines and lament the 50kmh limit is not signed and that it is all about revenue raising. It should not have to be signed because the road rules are clear, so learn the rules or get off the road and out of your car, because not knowing the rules makes you a danger on our roads and you’ll kill other people!

I know many people who drink and drive at least once a week and who believe there is nothing wrong with it, and I witness the aggression on the road daily with people yelling and screaming in outrage with pumping fists because someone sticks to the speed limit.

In WA it is a sport to make sure one gets ahead of the car in front when lanes merge, and no one gives a XXXX about giving way to pedestrians when they round a corner with their car.

The photo-mad egotistic selfie society turns into a selfish society when people get into their car. It’s all about me and I don’t care if that endangers other motorists, cyclists, bike riders or pedestrians

Why are we in such a mad hurry, why do we need to communicate every second of the day and can’t wait to read text messages till we have reached the end of our road trip? Why do we take unacceptable risks and don’t think about the consequences. What is wrong with us?!

It’s double demerit points, so use your brain and common sense and show some consideration on the roads this Easter weekend!

Roel Loopers

FREO NEEDS TO GET REAL ABOUT ROAD SHARING

With all the hype at Fremantle Council about traffic calming, road sharing and making the city more cyclist and pedestrian friendly, it is quite remarkable that there is still no shared/naked road in the entire city, unless one counts the 50 metres of Market Street behind Gino’s as one. Riding a bicycle in the High Street Mall is a big no-no.

Professor Peter Newman, of the Curtin University of Sustainable Policy, lauded his friend Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt on ABC radio last week for having doubled twice in two years funding for cycling, but what is the City of Fremantle doing with it?

A perfect share street project would be Adelaide Street west from Queens Street and following that through into William Street to Henderson Street, but it appears nothing will happen there unless Kings Square is being developed. We are waiting in high anticipation to see if Sirona Capital will actually start the project there this year or if there will be further delays. Why a shared road can’t be implemented along the Town Hall anyway is something I don’t understand. Waiting for Godot and a Kings Square development that might not happen for a long time-if at all-is not good city planning.

The Cappuccino Strip could become another good share road if one-way traffic was introduced there and busses and trucks banned, so pedestrians, cyclists and cars could equally share that street.

If High Street west was anywhere in Europe it would be a wonderful example of shared space with cobblestones, alfresco coming out further and a narrow all share street winding through it, making a real feature out of Freo’s most gorgeous heritage street.

Spin and hoohaa and painting pictures of bikes on green parts of some roads won’t do and real action and real road sharing should become a priority in Fremantle this year, anything less will be seen as hubris.

Roel Loopers