A growing population will make traffic congestion worse

The Cities of Armadale and Cockburn are two of the fastest growing councils in Australia, and as such, are urging WA State election candidates to provide their communities with basic infrastructure and commit to building the Armadale Road Bridge.

“We are facing unprecedented population growth with more than 55,000 people expected to move into Cockburn in the next 20 years,” Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett JP said.

“Commuting on our roads and accessing public transport networks is already a nightmare and that is without the additional pressure of 55,000 extra residents.

“We have residents spending two hours stuck in traffic every day trying to get to and from work or accessing basic services. This is not good enough.

“Governments must act now and invest in the Armadale Road Bridge to ease congestion, reduce the amount of time wasted in traffic and re-vitalise local economies.

“The bridge will mean our community can have better access to services and community infrastructure, rather than being left with unacceptable travel times and increased time away from family and other aspects of community life,” he said

Residents in Armadale face similar issues with an additional 50,000 people expected to move into the region by 2036, particularly in the new suburbs of Harrisdale, Piara Waters, Haynes and Hilbert.

“Our residents are already feeling the pressure of traffic congestion. Many are using alternative routes including Ranford and Nicholson Roads to bypass the traffic gridlock,” said Armadale Mayor Henry Zelones OAM JP.

“The daily ‘rat race’ is now congesting surrounding roads as people try to avoid Armadale Road/Cockburn Central.

“With more than 105,000 people expected to move into the region by 2036, it is crucial we act now and provide a solution for our residents by building the Armadale Road Bridge,” he said.

• City of Cockburn’s population will increase by 53.65 per cent by 2036.
• City of Armadale’s population will increase by 65.64 per cent by 2036.

Informed Decisions (.id) August 2016.