Bayswater Station

Traffic modelling has shown that this concept design does not increase traffic in the area, though it does redirect traffic to make it easier to move around on foot and get to the area by bus.

This design reduces a congestion point under the railway bridge and removes a traffic signal to allow for pedestrian priority phasing at the remaining traffic lights. It also allows for bus services to be rerouted and service the area, without using residential streets or a bus station.

To address concerns of traffic moving through the area, street designs that calm traffic (such as single lanes, landscaping and different road treatments) and prioritise pedestrians will be applied in the next phase of design.

This will highlight that Whatley Crescent is a local road, and not the connector road it is currently being used for. Vehicles will be encouraged to use roads such as Guildford Road, Collier Road and Tonkin Highway, which are designed for this through-traffic use.

Many creative ideas are being considered to enhance the Whatley Crescent and Hamilton Street connection for pedestrians. These will be developed and progressed during the next phase of design.

Undergrounding the station and rail line was investigated and is not viable for a number of reasons including:

• Operational complexities of the diesel-powered regional passenger trains (such as the Indian Pacific and Prospector), which use this section of railway. In particular these trains require much longer tunnels and complex ventilation and fire emergency systems;
• Tunnels would impact on Meltham Station, requiring either closure or rebuilding the station underground;
• Major disruption that would mean closing the entire Midland Line during the construction; and
• Limited development opportunities above the tunnel to justify the significant additional costs.

The King William-Whatley Crescent crossing will be widened and the traffic light phasing will prioritise pedestrians. The pedestrian first principles, which have proven successful in various other places such as Scarborough Beach Road in Mount Hawthorn, will be applied at the next phase of design.

Extensive traffic modelling is taking place to determine the best solution. The project team will work with the City of Bayswater on this.

Early traffic studies have been conducted in these areas and will continue in the next phase of the project. METRONET will work with the City of Bayswater to determine the most suitable solution.

As outlined when the project was announced, all passenger parking along Whatley Crescent must be removed to accommodate the relocated railway. Parking at the remaining car park will increase. Other options being reviewed include increasing parking bays at nearby stations and starting an all-stop pattern to make these attractive options for passengers.

This is the responsibility of the City of Bayswater who is starting a town centre parking strategy to address this concern.

This is outside the remit of METRONET and will likely be considered in the City of Bayswater’s town centre parking strategy.

Drop-off areas for the station can be accommodated on Railway Parade and Whatley Crescent.

This concept design means once the passenger parking along Whatley Crescent is removed, the construction site is largely contained with minimal impact to nearby roads and pedestrians. The bridge will be built first, and once the new station is operational, the old station will be demolished. The new road connection will be the final stage of the project.

The new road layout allows for new bus services to operate through the area, without using residential streets or a large bus interchange. Buses will work in a through-pattern to avoid circulating the station where possible.

Railway Parade will only allow buses travelling west and local traffic travelling east. The road will have various traffic calming measures that will make it an inconvenient shortcut.

The METRONET Office is undertaking a concept placemaking plan to identify what opportunities are feasible in and around the station, without taking away from the Bayswater town centre.

Noise and vibration modelling and monitoring will be conducted to identify possible impacts and the mitigation required.

Where possible, the roses and trees will be transplanted to another location. However, removal of some trees will be unavoidable. The project team will work with the City of Bayswater regarding the replacement of any removed trees.

This concept design allows for the proposed Morley-Ellenbrook Line to connect at Bayswater. That involves making technical allowances in terms of the design and also ensuring space is safeguarded for the potential connection.