West Torrens Council appeals to State Government for Tapleys Hill Rd speed limit cut
Thousands of motorists could be forced to slow down on a busy stretch of Tapleys Hill Rd as the local council claims the 80km/h speed limit puts local residents in danger.
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A stretch of Tapleys Hill Rd should have its speed limit cut by 20km/h because it poses a danger to residents, West Torrens Council has claimed.
The council will write to Transport Minister Stephan Knoll to request an 80km/h stretch between Sir Donald Bradman Drive and West Beach Rd — which is used by thousands of motorists each day — be cut to 60km/h.
It is mostly surrounded by open and commercial space, however, there are a few houses along the road’s western side.
Cr Jassmine Wood, who pushed for the council to contact Mr Knoll, said it was a “strange section of road” and the houses had likely come after the speed limit was introduced.
Cr Wood said she had been approached by residents along the road who were “struggling” to get out of their properties at busy times.
“They’re worried about children in their front yards and the speed at which cars are travelling past their front yards,” Cr Wood said.
“It’s only a small strip but it’s significant for these particular residents who live in fear and would just like the reassurance and safety of having a 60 zone outside their properties.
“I don’t think that’s a big ask from these residents.”
Resident John Trentelman said the 80km/h speed limit, which had worried him for years, was “ludicrous”.
“For me, to back out of the driveway, I’m in constant fear someone is going to run up my backside,” Mr Trentelman said.
“I drive along the footpath, which is a bikeway, in order to get out of my driveway.
“Harbour Town has a huge number of people going in and out and the motel has 31 apartments there and people are going backwards and forwards. There will be a significant car crash eventually.”
SA Police could not provide data on how many crashes had occurred on the stretch of road in the past 10 years.
West Torrens wrote to the previous Labor government pleading for a speed reduction without success.
