Kelmscott’s 190-metre long Denny Avenue is officially the most dangerous road in the state according to the RAC’s risky roads survey results released yesterday.
More 6000 people from across the state completed the survey.
Denny Avenue two level crossing intersections, Streich Avenue and Railway Avenue, were also nominated as number two and three of the state’s riskiest intersections.
The road has recorded 168 crashes in the five years to 2015.
Traffic from two shopping centres, regular trains and school children make it a nightmare for anyone using it.
RAC general manager corporate affairs Will Golsby said the results highlighted the urgent need for all major parties to commit to addressing the community’s concerns by increasing road funding ahead of the March 11 state election.
“WA has an $845 million road maintenance backlog and also has one of the worst road fatality rates in the country,” he said.
“As we head in to a state election RAC is calling on the next state government to address WA’s poor road safety record by reducing the road maintenance backlog by at least 30 per cent over the next four years.”
Last week Shadow Transport Minister Rita Saffioti announced a $257 million program to grade separate four of the Perth’s worst level crossings and Denny Avenue was number one on the list.
Member for Armadale Tony Buti said Denny Avenue would be the first rail crossing to be grade separated and construction would commence in 2019 if Labor wins the March election.
“Denny Avenue was chosen as the first intersection to be addressed as work has already been done and there are real opportunities for development in the area,” he said.
Previous Transport Minister Dean Nalder said there were higher priority level crossings than Denny Avenue.
Current minister Bill Marmion seemed more sympathetic to the issues the road faced but gave no firm commitment to fix them.
“Denny Avenue is one of Kelmscott’s smallest but busiest streets,” he said.
“While the State Government acknowledges the traffic network and resulting traffic congestion in the area needs to be addressed, the solution requires a major redevelopment which means a significant capital investment.
“Main Roads WA, in consultation with the Public Transport Authority and the City of Armadale, is currently investigating improvement options for Denny Avenue.
“The preferred solution, which includes grade separation of Davis Road to connect into Third Avenue, a new rail bridge and the closure of the rail level crossing is expected to cost more than $60m.
“The State Government will continue to progress a solution for Denny Avenue with relevant authorities and any funding submissions.”
He said Labor needed to explain how it was going to pay for its level crossing removal program.
