Calls for traffic lights as Albany’s Chester Pass roundabout labelled worst intersection in regional WA

Albany’s Chester Pass roundabout has been named the riskiest regional intersection in the State for the second time running with WA drivers calling for traffic lights to create safer passage for motorists. The RAC Riskiest Roads Survey, released every three years, gathered more than 10,000 nominations this year with drivers identifying the Top 10 riskiest regional roads and intersections in the State. The roundabout, including the nearby intersection of Albany and South Coast Highways, also topped the list in 2019 and 2014 and came in second in 2017. Main Roads WA data reveals there were 181 crashes at the roundabout in the five-year period to December 2021, with more than 18 million vehicles moving through the roundabout in the same period. This year, survey respondents indicated the area had a confusing layout and suggested traffic lights would be a suitable solution to reduce risk for motorists. Speaking to the Advertiser on Monday, Albany Mayor Dennis Wellington remained firm traffic lights were not needed at the roundabout as the safety issues were being tackled by the creation of the $175 million Albany Ring Road. “The amount of money being spent to take trucks off there will alleviate a lot of the problems,” he said. “The best thing we can do is get the Albany Ring Road open to take all the trucks off there. “I think we’ll find that will reduce the (area’s) capacity to be a problem. The first thing we’ve got to do is complete the road, then see how it goes.” A Main Roads WA spokes-woman said the roundabout was one of the busiest intersections in WA carrying 50,000 vehicles per day. “Traffic signals are not a suitable solution at this intersection due the limited stacking distance available within this roundabout,” she said. The intersection of South Coast Highway and Strickland Street in Denmark also made the list, named the 10th riskiest regional intersection in WA. Drivers said the intersection in the Denmark town centre had a confusing layout and that there was little chance to turn or cross traffic — again recommending it was a suitable site for lights or a roundabout. Four roads servicing the Great Southern also made the top 10 list of risky regional roads, but Southern Western Highway — from Bunbury to Walpole — came out on top. Albany Highway (3rd), South Coast Highway (5th), Great Southern Highway (7th) and the Denmark-Mount Barker Road (9th) were all listed as having poor road service quality and a lack of overtaking opportunities, as well as narrow lanes and bridges. The Denmark-Mount Barker Road was one of only two non-highway roads included on the risky regional roads list. There were 17 crashes over the 40km length of road from 2016-2021, according to Main Roads WA. It was listed as having a rough, undulating surface and soft shoulders with sudden bends and curves making, which made for dangerous overtaking. RAC external relations general manager Will Golsby said there were many passionate submissions regarding the safety of roads and intersections throughout the Great Southern. “No one knows these roads better than the people who drive, cycle and walk on them every day — and our survey allows them to voice their concerns over roads that aren’t as safe as they should be,” he said. Mr Golsby said the survey results would be shared with government and road safety agencies as RAC continued to advocate for safer roads and reduced instances of road trauma. “We have already seen the impact RAC’s Risky Roads survey can have, following the commitment to construct the Albany Ring Road, and upgrade the Albany Highway and West Beattie Road intersection — both highlighted in our previous Risky Roads results,” he said. “We hope that this trend can continue with our 2022 survey into the future.”