Assurance about Northam street improvement concerns

14/10/93

Transport Minister Eric Charlton has given an assurance that all community issues raised in relation to planned improvements to Forrest Street in Northam will be addressed.

Mr Charlton said he was aware of community concerns over pedestrian safety, and in particular school students and shoppers crossing Forrest Street.

He said safe pedestrian access across the road would be assured.

On the issue of road classification, Mr Charlton said that under the improvement program, Forrest Street would become the new extension of Great Eastern Highway and the responsibility of Main Roads.

Fitzgerald Street through the centre of Northam would be vested in the control of the Northam Town Council.

"The upgrading of Forrest Street will get heavy vehicles out of the town centre and give the council full control of Fitzgerald Street," Mr Charlton said.

"Council will then be in a position to make decisions to enhance the centre of town for the benefit of tourism and local business."

Mr Charlton said he intended discussing those issues, the Forrest Street proposal and the bypass position further with the Northam Town Council and any interested members of the community.

The Minister said the $3 million upgrading of Forrest Street to connect it with Great Eastern Highway on the western approach to town would be carried out under existing road reserve without the need for resumptions.

He said an upgraded Forrest Street would give heavy vehicles a clear run through Northam without having to stop and start which contributed to high noise levels and traffic congestion.

"Trucks already use Forrest Street - this works program will create a freer flow of traffic," he said.

"I know the people of Northam want a bypass constructed around the town - so do I, but it is not going to happen in the short term.

"There are two reasons for this. The local community has been unable over the past 20 years to come to a decision on a preferred route for the bypass and the Commonwealth Government, which is responsible for the construction of the bypass, will not allocate funds towards it.

"Despite two approaches to the Federal Minister for Transport Bob Collins by myself, the prospect of appropriate funding remains remote.

"As a consequence of these two important factors, I asked Main Roads to put forward a plan to enable all traffic that currently uses Forrest Street to be able to do so in a safer and more efficient manner.

"The Forrest Street works program I outlined to a joint meeting of Northam Shire and Town Council representatives last week has been carefully considered and will achieve these goals."

Media contact: Dean Roberts 321 7333