Scarborough Beach Road: Push for longer crossing times at for pedestrians at traffic lights

There are calls for pedestrian crossing times at traffic lights along Scarborough Beach Road to be increased amid concerns about safety.

At this week’s City of Stirling council meeting, Cr Elizabeth Re said she planned to seek council support for a proposal to have the city CEO write to Main Roads WA seeking longer pedestrian signal phases to “allow more time for seniors, people with disabilities, and parents with prams to cross the busy intersections”.

The proposed changes could apply to all traffic lights along Scarborough Beach Road between West Coast Highway in Scarborough and Stephenson Avenue in Innaloo.

This stretch of Scarborough Beach Road has nine traffic light intersections, including at Duke Street and the Odin Road-Ewen Street intersection.

Cr Re believes the current “short” pedestrian crossing times are impacting the safety of all road users.

“The short crossing wait time has been a deterrent for people to walk to the shops and be active,” she said.

“The crossing wait times are so short that it has caused seniors in particular to hurry, which has caused them to fall.”

According to Main Roads WA, an average of 31,168 vehicles travelled along Scarborough Beach Road east of Odin Road each weekday during the 2025–26 financial year.

In a separate motion, Cr Re also raised concerns about the safety of pedestrians waiting for buses on Ellen Stirling Boulevard, which runs from Cedric Street to Scarborough Beach Road in Innaloo.

She wants the city to investigate ways to improve safety for commuters waiting for buses on the eastern side of the boulevard, as there is currently no continuous footpath along the road.

“There is no crosswalks or traffic lights in close proximity to the bus stops, making people feel unsafe,” she said.

“There are many accidents on the road near the bus stops. It is mainly a dark area at the bus stops, the adjacent land and people feel unsafe ... There is no bus stop shelters for changes in the weather.”

Cr Re wants this report to be presented to the city’s community and resources committee by October 27.

Her two proposals are set to be voted on by the council at its September 8 meeting.