Roundabout to address safety issues

The development of a roundabout at the intersection of Bussell Highway and Fairway Drive will create a safer road environment and cater for increasing traffic volumes, Vasse MLA Libby Mettam says.

Mrs Mettam said a significant growth in population in the Vasse electorate and increase in traffic using the intersection created a safety concern.

“The Busselton bypass is no longer a road which bypasses traffic, but a road which needs to be managed to ensure the safe passage of school traffic, trucks, commercial vehicles and those of the many residents who now populate this fast-growing area,” she said.

Main Roads spokesman Dean Roberts said between 2011 and 2015 there were 23 vehicle crashes at the intersection, with 12 incidents reported in the past year.

“Most crashes have been of a right-angle nature. This has been a key element when determining solutions to address the high crash statistics,” he said.

Mrs Mettam said previous safety concerns had resulted in a lower speed limit from the west of Cook Street to the west of Fairway Drive, but further monitoring of the busy intersection showed the need for additional changes.

“A roundabout is a better, safer option into the future,” she said.

Bluebird Childcare business owner Jane Chambers said she had concerns for community members who regularly used the intersection during peak periods for school drop-offs and pick-ups and supported the development of a roundabout.

Main Roads reviewed options to address the increase in vehicle crashes and said the construction of a roundabout was feasible and would provide the best solution to address growing safety concerns.

Mr Roberts said Main Roads was seeking funding for construction of the roundabout in the 2017/18 financial year.