Residents in Riverton are expressing growing alarm as Riley Road remains without essential line markings for more than four months following resurfacing works completed late last year. The delay has ignited calls for local councils to be granted the authority to paint markings on streets to address safety risks and bureaucratic backlogs.
Safety Issues Highlighted on Busy Intersection
City of Canning councillor Ben Kunze took to social media in late February to draw attention to the prolonged absence of markings near the corner of High Road and the Riverton Forum shopping centre. He described the situation as a significant safety hazard, with motorists lacking guidance on lanes and intersection stops.
Local residents have echoed these concerns, labeling the unmarked road as "dangerous." Ella Hunt, commenting on Cr Kunze's post, shared that her elderly grandparents living on Riley Road have faced immense difficulties, including struggles with parking and navigating traffic due to the missing markings.
Delays and Bureaucratic Hurdles
Cr Kunze explained that drainage improvements and resurfacing on Riley Road were finished between November 11 and 26 last year. However, the final step of applying lane and intersection markings has been stalled, as the City of Canning awaits a timeline from Main Roads WA.
"I understand the Main Roads WA contractors are well behind in their schedule," Cr Kunze stated. He noted that while the city has the capability and desire to perform line marking—such as for parking lots—it is prohibited from doing so on roads, as Main Roads retains exclusive responsibility for this work.
Push for Council Empowerment
Cr Kunze revealed that the City of Canning, along with the wider local government sector and the WA Local Government Association (WALGA), has previously lobbied Main Roads to allow councils to complete line marking to help reduce delays. However, these efforts have been unsuccessful.
"It is unreasonable to have projects take many months to complete when the primary works were finished in a few weeks," he emphasized, pointing to the safety implications for drivers accustomed to marked roads.
Community and Official Responses
The situation on Riley Road mirrors similar issues reported on Fern Road in Wilson, where residents have also raised safety concerns. Despite the outcry, WALGA declined to comment on whether it has advocated for local governments to perform line marking work or plans to continue such efforts.
Main Roads did not respond to inquiries about the current delays or its stance on councils taking over line marking responsibilities, leaving the community in limbo as they await a resolution.
As the debate over council powers intensifies, residents and officials alike are urging for swift action to ensure road safety and prevent further delays in essential infrastructure projects across the region.
