Caves Road speed issues

Siesta Park holiday providers have expressed their concern about the speed limit on Caves Road between Busselton and Dunsborough.

There is a growing campaign to reduce the speed limit to 70km/h from 90km/h to allow for a median strip to be installed so pedestrians can cross the road safely.

The proposal has been met with mixed reactions, with several Dunsborough residents suggesting a decrease in the speed limit would result in a further traffic bank-up and cause more cases of dangerous overtaking.

Siesta Park Holiday Resort director Greg Tickle said he supported a speed limit reduction as both a business owner on Caves Road and a father, because the amount of traffic on that road was “exponentially increasing”. “It’s dangerous for people crossing the road but we don’t often have guests who do,” he said.

“We put up a noise wall next to our tennis courts because of traffic rumbling along with cars at high speed so I do think they (Main Roads) need to address it. But then more people would start taking the Vasse Yallingup Siding Road, making that road less safe.

“It’s a domino effect and we’re finding at the moment the options we have aren’t safe.” This week, the speed limit on Vasse Yallingup Siding Road was reduced to 90km/h from 110km/h.

Four Seasons Caravan Park owner Bill Kendall and Vasse MLA Libby Mettam are leading the campaign for the speed limit on Caves Road to be cut.

Ms Mettam said the issue had been raised with her over several years.

“A median strip would seem to be a positive solution for families staying at the Four Seasons Tourists Park needing to cross Caves Road to access the beach and dual use pathway,” she said.

“However, in order for Main Roads to approve this, traffic has to be travelling at no more than 70km/hr which is fair for a residential area.”

“This is something I support in the interests of safety for pedestrians and of course drivers utilising this section of Caves Road.”