Safety shelved

By Casey Neill
SELBY residents say VicRoads has failed to improve safety at a dangerous intersection.
Monbulk MP James Merlino announced a $69,000 safety upgrade for the Belgrave-Gembrook Road-Charles Street intersection in December 2007.
The cash was to provide a concrete median and splitter island on a road identified as a safety risk.
The traffic island was expected to provide a safe crossing point for pedestrians and force motorists to slow down.
But residents say VicRoads has removed plans for the island.
Instead, the road authority has marginally widened the street, installed kerbing, and painted new lines.
Selby resident Julie Howard has fought for safety improvements at the intersection for more than five years.
“The area is particularly dangerous for school children as we have many school buses stopping here,” she said.
“The traffic just seems to be getting faster.”
Ms Howard said VicRoads last year told her a traffic island would be installed on the busy stretch.
“We have spent so much time and energy and money to pursue this issue. It’s almost like up in the hills we don’t exist.”
Bill Trounson runs Selby General Store, near Charles Street.
“The speeding problem in Selby is out of control,” Mr Trounson said.
He regularly watched concerned parents shield their children at the bus stop, motorists narrowly miss pedestrians and drivers struggle to exit a nearby doctors’ surgery car park.
Mr Trounson urged VicRoads to install a traffic island as promised. He also called for a reduced speed limit and a permanent speed camera.
“Once they get speeding tickets in their letter box they’re going to slow down,” he said.
Lyster Ward councillor Samantha Dunn was “bitterly disappointed” to learn there would be no island for Selby.
“The initial plans had the islands, and then they were gone,” she said.
Cr Dunn slammed the line marking.
“That has done absolutely nothing to address the safety issues. People just ignore it.
“People do slow down for a traffic island because they know they’ll crash into it. They can just drive straight over painted lines.”
VicRoads refused to confirm speculation an engineer mistakenly removed a section of bitumen, which then had to be refilled.
Acting Regional Director for Metro South East, Graham Clarke said VicRoads was aware of community interest in the project and was looking into the issue.
Mr Merlino has raised residents’ concerns with Roads Minister Tim Pallas’ office.
“I am seeking a resolution to this matter as soon as possible,” he said.