Danger junction plea

By Tania Martin
KNOX City Council is calling for VicRoads to take action on a dangerous intersection in Knoxfield.
Friberg Ward councillor Debbie Field said the council had been calling for the installation of traffic signals or a crossing along Ferntree Gully Road for more than two years.
She is now calling for the project to be fast-tracked because a new skate and BMX park had been opened in the area.
Cr Field said that users of the new park need a safe crossing point as close as possible to the new Gilbert Park facility in Knoxfield.
“Council applied for the crossing well before we finished the new facility off Ferntree Gully Road,” she said.
“We’ve even offered to design the crossing to speed up the process.” Cr Field said the crossing would ideally be located at the intersection of Kathryn and Ferntree Gully roads.
She said crossing the road has been an issue for the residents of Kathryn Road for years and that the council had put in a number of requests to have a crossing or lights installed.
But Cr Field said the requests for a crossing for that intersection had so far been rejected.
“We (the council) were advised by VicRoads that there had been only one recorded death at that intersection and therefore didn’t warrant the installation of traffic lights,” she said.
“To me one death is one too many and I have lost count of how many minor incidents there have been at that intersection.”
Cr Field said the Kathryn Road intersection would be the perfect place for a crossing to be installed as it’s almost adjacent to the skate park.
She said the crossing would not only solve the problems faced by residents but those using the skate park.
Cr Field said the council had been calling for action from VicRoads since the beginning of the skate park project more than two years ago and was still waiting for action.
“It’s disappointing they are dragging their feet on this,” she said.
“Especially as it’s not only the residents in Kathryn Road but people using the skate park and other recreation facilities at Gilbert Park.”
But VicRoads denies there have been any requests for changes to Ferntree Gully Road as the result of the skate park being built.
Acting regional director Michael Barker said it was VicRoads’ understanding that the council was encouraging visitors to park in Forbes Close.
But the council said although the new skate park includes the provision for car parking off Forbes Close, the State Government is responsible for approving the installation of traffic lights or a pedestrian-operated crossing.
Mr Barker said VicRoads was happy to talk to councils about potential projects in their area.
But he said proposals for projects must be considered and prioritised on a statewide basis and that any lights at Ferntree Gully Road would be considered in this context.
Cr Field said the council was keen to have discussions with VicRoads to find a way to get a crossing installed soon.