Railway Parade Signalised Crossing | Northwood Intersection
- Project scheduleCurrent Phase - Design
Last Reviewed:16 September 2025
The upgrades to the Railway Parade and Northwood Street intersection aim to enhance safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists by introducing a signalised crossing point. This new crossing will replace the existing Traffic Warden Controlled crossing, which currently operates from 7:30am to 9:00am and 2:30pm to 4:00pm to support students travelling to Bob Hawke College in Subiaco. The signalised crossing will deliver improved safety outcomes for all road users, at all times of the day.
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 community engagement through the West Leederville Activity Centre Plan, Local Planning Strategy, Economic Development Strategy, and Bicycle Plan has highlighted strong support for enhancing the pedestrian and cyclist experience, particularly around access to West Leederville Station and the underpass. These improvements are seen as vital to strengthening the local economy and enhancing overall access and amenity.
Additionally, the Town’s Age Friendly Community Plan and Disability Access and Inclusion Plan underscore the importance of creating inclusive streetscapes that cater to people of all abilities—an ongoing priority for our community.
The Town’s Sustainability Strategy also reflects widespread community support for initiatives that promote alternative modes of transport, such as walking and cycling, helping to reduce reliance on cars and ease road congestion.
This project proposal has been developed in consultation with the Railway Northwood Reference Group, Bob Hawke College and its Parents and Community group, as well as Main Roads WA (MRWA).
Community Engagement
An online survey was conducted to gather community feedback and assess support for the installation of a signalised pedestrian crossing. The survey was open from 16 September to 25 October 2024. Following this, an officer’s recommendation report, incorporating the survey results and proposed concept design was presented to Council at the December 2024 Ordinary Council Meeting.
Council endorsed the progression of the project to detailed design and construction, which will replace the existing traffic warden-controlled crossing on Railway Parade near the Northwood Street intersection. Council also supported the proposal to prohibit right-turn movements for vehicles exiting Northwood Street onto Railway Parade.
Current Status
The Town has secured funding through the 2021 State Government election commitment. Main Roads WA has committed to the Town to delivering the associated works to including detailed design, civil construction, and the installation of traffic signals.
Currently, the Town is collaborating with Main Roads WA (MRWA) to finalise the detailed designs for the signalised pedestrian crossing. Once the design documentation is 100% complete, MRWA will proceed with implementation. Construction is currently scheduled to commence in early 2026.
Please check back on this webpage for updates as the project progresses.
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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