Undertake a trial that temporarily converts a section of Grosvenor Road into a safe and inviting place for people:
- Pedestrian street – closure of street to vehicles (temporary public plaza)
- Shared street – manages slow vehicular movement
The Grosvenor Road Trial objectives were to:
- improve pedestrian experience and connectivity in the town centre;
- provide more space for people to sit, relax and socialise;
- create an attractive and active environment which supports local residents, town centre businesses and visitors; and
- encourage more people to come, enjoy and spend time in the town centre.
Process
Project Scoping: Nov 2021 – Jul 2022
- Project meetings and workshops with internal delivery partners
- Preliminary engagement with businesses, property owners, local organisations and groups
- Grant application and monthly reporting and meetings with RAC Reconnect WA to secure finding to co-deliver the project and expand opportunities and outcomes
- Costing
- Community drop-in sessions
- Council Workshop with Elected Members for approval of the plan
- Approved Traffic Management Plan
Trial Delivery: Aug – Nov 2022
Delivery:
- Inhabit Place audit
- CCTV and vehicle movement counts
- Surface counters
- On-site observations & documentation
- Business sales data
Engagement, Monitoring & Data Collection: Aug – Nov 2022
- Online survey 1 October – 14 November 2022
- Inhabit Place intercept surveys to understand visitor sentiment and provide project information
- Pedestrian counts
- Activity observations
- 650 postcards distributed to properties
- Posters, online, radio & newspaper promotion
- Signage about the project in town centre
- Installation & road closures
- Opening event – 1 October 2022
- Weekend events and activities
- Community correspondence
Review and Reporting: Nov 2022 – Feb 2023
- Data collation
- Analysis
- Reporting
Statistics and Outcomes
Traffic data at Raglan Road near Walcott Street:
- Before Grosvenor Road Trial: 2,819/day
- During Shared Street Trial: 2,873 cars/day
- During Public Plaza Trial: 2,938 cars/day
Traffic data at Chelmsford Road near Beaufort Street:
- Before Grosvenor Road Trial: 1,817 cars/day
- During Shared Street Trial: 2,145 cars/day
- During Public Plaza Trial: 2,031 cars/day
Traffic data at Grosvenor Road between the car parks and Danker Lane/ Hutt Street:
- Before Grosvenor Road Trial: 306 cars/day
- During Shared Street Trial: 385 cars/day
- During Public Plaza Trial: 335 cars/day
Traffic data at Grosvenor Road/ Beaufort Street intersection:
- Before Grosvenor Road Trial: 1,212 cars per day, 20km/h
- During Shared Street Trial: 369 cars per day, 16km/h
- During Public Plaza Trial: 0 cars per day
Community perception:
- 60% of survey participants support a flexible pedestrian public space
- 51% support a shared street with part time road closer for community events
- 38% support no change
Lessons Learnt
With Grosvenor Road fully closed to vehicles, a traffic increase on adjoining roads was as expected and at an acceptable range.
The creation of a public plaza requires an holistic approach, considering the surrounding area and opportunity to integrate car parks.
