MEMBERS of the Swan Valley Progress Association are concerned new plans for Caversham would have a negative effect on the traffic flow on West Swan Road and compromise the surrounding area.
City of Swan council adopted the Caversham Local Structure Plan at its meeting last month.
The housing development plan is for a 139-hectare section of land south of the Reid Highway and west of West Swan Road and determines street lot layout and zoning.
Swan Valley Progress Association secretary Rod Henderson said the plan would interfere with the main route through the tourist precinct.
“The council wanted a set of traffic lights at the corner of West Swan Road and Arthur Street, but Main Roads WA said it wanted a roundabout,” he said.
“We think it will impact on the route tourists take to get through the Swan Valley because it will invite urban traffic flow, which would increase traffic.
“If any road treatment were to occur at that intersection, a slip lane for traffic heading north should be considered.”
City of Swan chief executive Mike Foley said the Plan was designed to reduce traffic on West Swan Road.
“(The plan includes) the construction of an extension to Lord Street between Reid Highway and Benara Road at 75 per cent of the development, and a road connection between Suffolk Street and Patricia Street in the early stages (400 houses).
“Both of these measures are required to reduce traffic on West Swan Road.
“Predicted traffic flows show an increase of traffic along the eastern end of Patricia Street of about 3000 vehicles but a decrease of traffic on West Swan Road due to more traffic using Bennett or Arthur streets.”
The draft Plan was advertised earlier this year, with the City receiving 49 submissions.
The 14 objections received broadly related to the amenity impacts of the proposed Lord Street extension.