By Peter Douglas
Monbulk MP James Merlino has allayed concerns an upgrade to a dangerous school crossing on York Road, Mount Evelyn, is behind schedule, with VicRoads confirming work is due to start this month.
In June last year, Mr Merlino announced the upgrade, with work slated to begin in 2016 and a completion date around the middle of this year.
The crossing is widely viewed as much needed for the safety of students at the Mount Evelyn Christian School, as well as workers from the nearby Yarra View Nursery, with many of its staff living with a disability.
The $490,000 upgrade will take place at the current crossing on York Road between Karen Court and Hawkins Road.
Works are also to include an upgrade to the footpath near the north-side bus stop, as well as road surface improvements.
However, no work has commenced yet at the site.
Evelyn MP Christine Fyffe said she feared community safety was not being put first.
“James Merlino announced the upgrade because of the community’s long-held concerns for nursery staff with a disability that are at risk crossing the road at times when a school crossing supervisor isn’t present,” she said.
“This is an important safety upgrade for the school crossing and needs to be started … a promise is a promise and the crossing should be upgraded.”
However, in a VicRoads letter distributed in February this year, the information said work was still “expected to start in April 2017 and be completed by June 2017”.
In the correspondence, acting team leader Projects, Rod Blackman, expressed a need for the community to be patient while works are taking place.
“There will be temporary changes to traffic conditions, which include speed reductions and temporary land closures between the hours of 9.30am and 3.30pm for the safety of work and road users,” he said.
“Traffic delays are expected on York Road due to speed reduction and lane closures.”
Mr Blackman acknowledged the safety improvements were needed in the area.
“York Road carries more than 25,000 vehicles per day,” he said.
“The new pedestrian-operated crossing will create a much safer environment for all pedestrians, nearby school children and people with disabilities.
“As part of this work, the north bus shelter will be replaced and its location will be adjusted to ensure pedestrians crossing York Road can access the bus services more safely.”
At the time of the announcement, Mr Merlino said the project would bring about positive outcomes.
“We know the community is concerned about this stretch of road,” he said.
“We’ve listened and we’re taking action.”
