City of Melville Council has installed a speed platform in Leeming following community calls for improve road safety measures in the area.
The new speed platform is at the exit of Striker Indoor Sports and Fitness onto Farrington Road near Leeming Forum.
The platform, along with signage, will alert motorists exiting Striker Indoor Sports and Fitness to slow down and be aware of pedestrians crossing near the entrance.
The measure is designed to ensure vehicles exit at a safe speed, allowing them to stop if needed.
“The safety of all users of Farrington Road — whether in a vehicle, on wheels, or on foot — is the City of Melville’s top priority,” said Acting Mayor, Glynis Barber.
The Council says it undertook a review of the current children’s and pedestrian crossing point, including a video survey, and engaged an external consultant to conduct a Road Safety Audit (RSA) in November 2023.
While the survey identified a high volume of pedestrian traffic throughout the day, the location did not meet Main Roads WA’s criteria for a Zebra or Puffin crossing, and the RSA did not recommend these crossing types.
“With regard to the requested Zebra or Puffin crossing, we’ll continue to advocate for the community with Main Roads WA.”
The Council says it will continue to work with Main Roads WA to revisit the possibility of a Zebra or Puffin crossing outside Leeming Forum, as Main Roads WA is currently reviewing its pedestrian crossing criteria.
“The City will continue to advocate for the concerns raised by the community and ensure that the ‘people and place’ aspects are considered.”
“The speed platform is part of a broader initiative to improve safety along Farrington Road. In July 2021, speed cushions were installed on all approaches to the four roundabouts between Karel Avenue and the Kwinana Freeway ramp, successfully reducing traffic speeds, as confirmed by a traffic survey.”
In May 2022, Council successfully lobbied Main Roads WA to lower the speed limit along Farrington Road between Karel Avenue and the Kwinana Freeway ramp from 60km/h to 50km/h.
Earlier this year, the City also requested a reduction of the speed limit from 70km/h to 60km/h on Farrington Road between Bibra Drive and the Kwinana Freeway. Main Roads WA declined the request in July 2024, maintaining that the current limit is consistent with similar roads in the area.