Tourist route surveyed

Main Roads WA says it has finished a survey of the length of Caves Road ahead of a planned redevelopment.

While talks were still pending on a possible heritage listing for what has been called an “iconic tourist route”, MRWA will now assess the first 20km of concept design from Yallingup to Metricup Road, according to media manager Dean Roberts.

“Speed reductions are being considered, with a full review of the road being undertaken,” he said.

“Locations for passing bays — not overtaking lanes — are being identified and developed.

“Given the geometry of the road and the amount of vegetation in the road reserve, there are very few cleared locations available.”

The full MRWA assessment considers Caves Road from Yallingup to Augusta, with initial plans for the safety redevelopment subject to agreement with a community consultation panel.

Mr Roberts confirmed the redevelopment itself remained unfunded for now.

“Project development funding has been allocated for detailed scoping, stakeholder consultation and design,” he said.

Caves Road residents have previously expressed concern at the number of trees potentially affected by any road-widening project and called instead for a speed review along the route.

No serious crashes have been recorded on Caves Road so far this year.

Mr Roberts said the consultation group would reconvene once internal assessments and approvals cleared stage one.