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Geraldton council approves second phase of Chapman Road trial as controversial ‘wiggle’ is set to be scrapped

Lachlan AllenGeraldton Guardian
The controversial works on Chapman Road in Geraldton's CBD.
Camera IconThe controversial works on Chapman Road in Geraldton's CBD. Credit: Jessica Moroney/Geraldton Guardi/RegionalHUB

The controversial “wiggle” will be no more after Geraldton council unanimously voted to approve phase two of the Chapman Road CBD project without the snaked road design.

The updated road will remain as a two-way single lane with a maximum speed limit of 30km/h, but revert to a straight lane, removing the disputed “wiggle” layout.

While the second phase will also include on-street parking and placement of physical boundaries to delineate pedestrian and vehicle spaces, as well as adjust merging and demerging sections along the street.

The Chapman Road CBD Activation Pilot Project was carried 10-0 at Tuesday night’s ordinary council meeting.

Speaking in support of the motion, deputy mayor Jerry Clune said this section of Chapman Road had an “identity crisis”.

“It’s had a different name, it’s had a one-way street, it’s had a dead end, it’s had everything and now we’ve put a few wiggly lines in,” he said.

“You get a few complaints but I’ve had more complaints about this little section with the wiggle in the road then anything else in all my time on council.”

The design and approval by Main Roads WA for the second trial will take about two months to complete.

Cr Michael Reymond moved an amended motion to include an extra item, stating council “approach Main Roads seeking approval to temporarily disable the signalised pedestrian crossing between Stirlings and Penny Lane Arcade for the duration of the Stage 2 trial”.

Cr Reymond argued that the lights were unnecessary as traffic was already slowed and it would be safe for pedestrians to cross.

However, councillors rejected this change, voting 8-2 in favour of Mayor Shane Van Styn’s amendment to remove the item.

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