Protest stalls Waikiki roundabout

People power won a victory last week when a group of Waikiki residents succeeded in their bid to postpone major earthworks scheduled to begin on their street.

At the latest full council meeting on Tuesday last week, Rand Avenue resident Luke Gaches said he was concerned a major roundabout planned for the road's intersection with Chalmers Avenue could increase the likelihood of accidents.

Mr Gaches said surrounding properties would lose significant portions of their front verges, potentially resulting in damage to property or danger to lives, should motorists lose control while attempting to manoeuvre around the proposed roundabout.

"There is a driveway located directly in the centre of the proposed roundabout and another two driveways within 3m of its entrance and exit," Mr Gaches said.

"With a total of eight driveways within 25m - how can the council be sure this project is safe?"

Fellow objector Tiffany Brunswick said nine children lived in the immediate vicinity of the roundabout.

Ms Brunswick suggested the City investigate more cost-effective methods of traffic calming, such as 50km reminder signs.

"I don't believe there is an ongoing problem with speeding here," Ms Brunswick said.

"The City carried out a speed test at my request and found 85 per cent of drivers were travelling at 59km, suggesting everyone thought the speed limit here was 60km."

Mother-of-five Mary Marsters will potentially lose a big portion of the verge at her rental property.

Ms Marsters said she planned to move if plans went ahead.

Rockingham Mayor Barry Sammels said traffic-calming devices, including the roundabout, were scheduled into the City's long-term business plan to be installed over the next few years.

He said earthworks would be postponed and residents' concerns investigated right away.