Danger zone: petition for intersection plagued by crashes

Drivers are demanding a notoriously dangerous Rosanna intersection 300m from a primary school be improved, after one woman was involved in two crashes in the same spot 15 years apart.

Leanne Cole and David Mulholland at the corner of Banyule and Beverley roads, Rosanna. Picture: Hamish Blair

Hundreds of community members have stepped up to demand action on a notorious Rosanna intersection.

More than 230 people have already signed a petition for immediate improvements to the Beverley and Banyule roads intersection after a woman was involved in a serious accident there.

Viewbank’s Leanne Cole had posted in a community Facebook page about her accident, which resulted in her car being written off.

Ms Cole told the Leader she was travelling on Banyule Rd when a car turned from Beverley Rd and crashed into her.

Her post received more than 80 comments from people sharing their own near misses and “disgust” for the intersection.

Ms Cole had been in another car accident at the same intersection 15 years earlier.

“I don’t want to have another accident there. It’s a problem something needs to be done about,” Ms Cole said.

The intersection is on a low visibility bend, just 300m from Banyule Primary School. Banyule Ratepayers Action Group launched the petition, urging the council to fix the intersection.

BRAG member David Mulholland said he had lived in the area his whole life and tried to avoid the intersection altogether.

“It’s not a disaster waiting to happen, it’s been happening for years,” Mr Mulholland said.

The petition outlines the demand for infrastructure at the intersection, either a roundabout, traffic lights, speed humps before the intersection or a convex mirror.

Jodie Burns added her name to the petition, saying “this is such a dangerous intersection, I’ve had several near misses here and fear for my children's safety”.

Lisa Delbridge also signed. “It’s a horrendous intersection that needs urgent attention to ensure the safety of our local community,” she said. John Lawrence added that he had “almost been hit by buses speeding down the hill and being upon me as I turn right without notice as you can’t see up the hill”.

MORE: MAN KILLED MINUTES AFTER SURVIVING HIS OWN CRASH

MAJOR CHANGES ON HODDLE ST AS NEW ROAD RULES INTRODUCED

MAN CRUSHED BY CAR IN DIY ACCIDENT

Peter Nugent from the RACV said the intersection had not been brought to their attention.

The roads are managed by Banyule Council, and Cr Tom Melican told Heidelberg Leader he was aware of the issues and had spoken to some very concerned residents.

He said the council’s traffic engineers had begun to assess the risks and potential solutions, adding pedestrian access was also a problem at the intersection.