Road rethink call

By Tania Martin
A CLEMATIS man is calling for VicRoads to install a roundabout at a dangerous intersection near Narre Warren North.
Barry Harris said it was the only safe option.
He said the plans for upgrading the intersection on the corner of Berwick and Wellington roads needed to be re-assessed.
At first Mr Harris believed the initial plans for a roundabout had been rejected by the Shire of Yarra Ranges. But a shire spokesman said it was a VicRoads decision.
Mr Harris said the decision to upgrade and widen the current T-intersection would not fix the problem.
He said there was poor visibility at the junction and that upgrading it would not solve the problem.
Mr Harris said drivers turning left out of Berwick Road were often unable to see as the cars in the adjacent right-hand lane blocked their view.
“You see it all the time, a car stops here and blocks off the view,” he said.
Mr Harris said a roundabout was the most obvious and safest option.
VicRoads acting regional director Praveen Reddy said the road authority had been working closely with the Shire of Yarra Ranges, investigating various options to improve the safety of the intersection.
Mr Reddy said a roundabout was one of the options considered but that the cost and effect on native vegetation had made VicRoads consider other options.
“This is more cost effective, has far less impact on vegetation, and will address the safety issues at the intersection,” Mr Reedy said. Mr Reddy said the upgrade would involve modifying the existing splitter island, provide a left turning slip lane on Berwick Road and allow for the installation of a left turning lane on Wellington Road.
“These works will improve safety for traffic turning right from Berwick Road and increase the visibility of the overall intersection,” he said.