Railway Parade Signalised Crossing | Northwood Intersection
- Project scheduleCurrent Phase - Design
Last Updated: 22 January 2025
The intersection upgrades are designed to enhance safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists crossing Railway Parade at the Northwood Street intersection by introducing a signalised pedestrian crossing point. The new crossing will replace the existing Traffic Warden Controlled crossing, which currently operates between 7.30am to 9am and 2.30pm to 4pm to accommodate students travelling to Bob Hawke College in Subiaco. The signalised crossing will provide improved safety outcomes for all road users at all times.
As part of the upgrade, right turns from Northwood Street onto Railway Parade will be prohibited. Vehicles that previously made this turn will now be directed to use the roundabout at Kimberly Street and Railway Parade to reach their destination. The Town has received 2021 Election Commitment Funding to undertake the associated works.
Example of Pelican Crossing (Signalised Pedestrian Crossing) on Cambridge Street
Previous engagement with our community on the West Leederville Activity Centre Plan, Local Planning Strategy, Economic Development Strategy and Bicycle Plan highlighted that enhancing the pedestrian and cyclist experience, and accessibility to the West Leederville Station and underpass, will strengthen the local economy and improve access and amenity.
Further, the Town’s Age Friendly Community Plan and Disability Access and Inclusion Plan emphasise the need to ensure that improving our streetscapes for people of all abilities is important to our community.
The Town’s Sustainability Strategy also demonstrates strong community support of initiatives that encourage alternative modes of transport, such as walking and cycling, reducing the number of cars on our roads.
The Town has developed the project proposal in consultation with the Railway Northwood Reference Group, Bob Hawke College and their Parents and Community group and Main Roads WA (MRWA).
Online Survey
An online survey was available to the local community to gather valuable feedback and assess the level of support for the installation of signalised crossing. The survey was open from 16 September 2024 to 25 October 2024. An officer's recommendation report, including the survey outcomes and proposed concept design was presented to the Council at Ordinary Council Meeting December 2024(PDF, 895KB). The Council has provided support and approval for the project progression to complete detailed design and construction of the signalised pedestrian crossing, replacing the existing traffic warden-controlled crossing located on Railway Parade near the Northwood Street intersection. The council also provided support to the proposal of banning right-turn movements for vehicles exiting Northwood Street onto Railway Parade.
Current Status
The Town has secured funding through the 2021 State Government’s election commitment and Main Roads WA has committed to delivering the project by undertaking detailed design, civil construction and traffic signal works. Currently the Town is in collaboration with Main Roads WA (MRWA) to progress detailed design and implementation of the signalised pedestrian crossing on Railway Parade near the Northwood Street intersection.
FAQs
Q: How does the existing pedestrian crossing and intersection work?
A: A Type A Warden Crossing has been established across Railway Parade, based on the movement of our local students who are traveling from West Leederville to Bob Hawke College in Subiaco. This crossing is only in operation during school term and during the following hours: 7:30am – 9:15am & 2:30pm - 3:15pm
Q: How will this treatment improve safety?
A: Vehicles making a right turn from Northwood Street onto Railway Parade pose a hazard to pedestrians crossing Railway Parade. Drivers focused on finding a gap in the heavy traffic are less likely to notice pedestrians crossing or about to cross.
Q: How will the changes achieve the project outcomes?
A: The signalised pedestrian crossing will provide a mechanism for all pedestrians and cyclists to safely cross Railway Parade, regardless of the time of day or school holidays.
Main Roads WA (MRWA) is the authority which determines all traffic signals, including these pedestrian crossing signals. MRWA has only granted in- principal support for the installation of Pelican Crossing signals, but on the condition that the Town of Cambridge supports the removal of the right turn out of Northwood Street for vehicles.
Q: Can a signalised crossing be installed without the removal of the right turn for westbound travel along Railway Pde
A: No, discussions with MRWA to signalisation in the Northwood and Railway Streets intersection resulted in significant delays to the network and was not supported.
Q: How can vehicles travel west from Northwood Street?
A: Cambridge Street is still a viable option for westbound travel towards the coast. Equally the use of the Kimberly Street roundabout 200m left from the intersection can be used for a U-Turn.
Q: What is involve for the works?
A: These upgrades will replace the Warden Crossing with a signalised pedestrian crossing. The same type of crossing is currently installed on Cambridge Street, opposite Coles. The works involve:
Q: Why is the Town proposing these changes?
A: Works are being undertaken by Development WA to the south of the West Leederville Train Station as part of the Subiaco East Redevelopment which will improve pedestrian and cyclist linkages between Subiaco and West Leederville. However, these improvements are not reflected on the West Leederville side of the station, providing limited benefits to our community.
Current pedestrian and cyclist movement across Railway Parade is anticipated to increase as density increases in the area and enrolments to Bob Hawke College in Subiaco increase to 2,000 by 2025.
The proposed changes are just one aspect of a larger Place Improvement Project for the improvement of the precinct, however the upgrades present an opportunity to make improvements in the short term that can be incorporated into larger precinct plans.
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