Speed limits in a large area of Fremantle stretching from the port to South Beach will be reduced to 40 kilometres per hour next month.
The City of Fremantle originally applied to reduce the speed limit along busy South Terrace in South Fremantle in support of a push from the local community, but Main Roads WA required a speed reduction zone that spread the 40km/h limit over a wider area.
In November Fremantle Council voted to accept the proposal to create a 40 km/h speed zone in Fremantle and South Fremantle, covering all local roads west of Hampton Road, Ord Street and James Street, including the existing city centre speed reduction zone.
The reduced speed limit will become official when new signage is installed in July by Main Roads WA.
Deputy Mayor Andrew Sullivan said the changes would make the roads safer for locals and visitors to Fremantle.
"The South Fremantle strip is just buzzing at the moment, with a great range of shops, restaurants, cafes and more," Cr Sullivan said.
"South Freo locals - through the South Fremantle Precinct Group - made it very clear that they wanted to slow down the traffic in that area, which is why we installed the speed humps a few years ago.
"A reduction in speed from 50km/h to 40km/h can decrease the risk of serious injury by as much as 30 per cent, so this change will help to improve road safety and make Fremantle's urban areas more pedestrian-friendly."
Some distributor roads within the area will also have their speed limits reduced to 50 km/h, like South Street and Queen Victoria Street, while others, including Ord Street and Hampton Road, will retain their 60 km/h limit.
The existing 30 km/h limit along Fremantle's famous Cappuccino Strip will also be retained.
The City of Fremantle will continue pursue a reduction in the speed limit to 30km/h in the rest of the city centre zone in line with the City's Integrated Transport Strategy.
