State Government rejects push to drop Tapleys Hill Rd speed limit
An 80km/h stretch of Tapleys Hill Rd will remain as is after the State Government knocked back a council push to drop the speed limit to 60km/h.
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A council-led plea to reduce the speed limit on a busy stretch of Tapleys Hill Rd has been rejected by the State Government.
Transport Minister Stephan Knoll has scuppered the push in a letter to West Torrens Council, which last month requested the limit be cut from 80km/h to 60km/h because it was supposedly unsafe for nearby residents.
The stretch between Sir Donald Bradman Drive and West Beach Rd is mostly surrounded by open and commercial space, however, there are a few houses along the road’s western side.
It is used by thousands of motorists each day.
In his letter to West Torrens urban services general manager Angelo Catinari, Mr Knoll said the Government had to find an “appropriate balance” between residents and motorists wants.
“I am advised by the (department) that, apart from modifications to the existing Harbour Town access and the redeveloped service station on the corner of West Beach Rd, there has been no other significant change to direct roadside access onto Tapleys Hill Road for the past 10 years,” Mr Knoll wrote.
“Taking into account the minimal abutting roadside development, low crash history, low number of direct access points and the function of Tapleys Hill Road as a high standard arterial road, it is considered that the current 80km/h speed limit is appropriate.”
Cr Jassmine Wood, who led the push for the speed limit to be cut, said she was “disappointed” with Mr Knoll’s response and was responding to the needs of her community.
“Ultimately I answer to my residents and this particular group of residents are desperate for the speed limit to be changed,” Cr Wood said.
“A small, insignificant change to motorists would make a huge difference to these residents who deserve to feel safe in their own front yards and while entering and exiting their properties.”
West Torrens also wrote to the previous Labor government pleading for a speed reduction, also without success.