Dangerous Rosanna Rd intersection has fix but no funding despite parents’ pleas

WORRIED parents want something done to fix a busy intersection in Melbourne’s north before someone is killed.

Rosanna Rd intersection with Banyule Rd is a real concern for mums and other pedestrians. Zoe Cassar with Marion 3, Adam 6. Mark Brljak with Samuel 6, Noah 8.

A WORRIED mum is begging Banyule Council to step in before someone is killed by speeding cars running red lights at a busy Rosanna Rd intersection.

And while authorities have a plan to fix the dangerous crossing, no level of government has stumped up the money needed to solve the growing problem.

Rosanna resident Zoe Cassar told the March 7 council meeting the intersection of Banyule and Rosanna roads was unsafe and pleaded with councillors for help.

Heidelberg Leader has repeatedly reported on the safety issues along Rosanna Rd, which is used by many motorists as a link from the Metropolitan Ring Rd in Greensborough to the Eastern Freeway at Bulleen.

Ms Cassar has two young children — a three-year-old who attends kinder and a six-year-old Prep at Banyule Primary School — and both have to cross the rat-run arterial road.

“The number of times that I and other parents have not only witnessed but almost had to pull our children back from cars racing through red lights at that intersection is beyond belief,” Ms Cassar said.

“I understand it’s a VicRoads road and therefore there’s a responsibility on VicRoads’ part to undertake changes in relation to the lights. However, it has become a matter of conscience for council, I believe, to step in.”

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VicRoads acting regional director Bryan Sherritt said the roads authority and the council had developed a road safety proposal for Rosanna Rd but the plan would be “considered for funding” in the future.

“The proposed works would include improvements to the traffic signals at Rosanna Rd and Banyule Rd to increase their visibility,” he said.

Banyule’s transport, sustainability and municipal laws manager Daniel Kohllmorgen, told the meeting the council would conduct a safety assessment.

Mr Kohllmorgen said the crossing had not met VicRoads’ requirements for a school crossing supervisor because there were not enough students using the pedestrian lights.

“We’re happy to go out there and do a further in-depth assessment as to whether it’s safe and get on to VicRoads to see if they can consider under safety reasons.”

Mayor Craig Langdon said it was difficult for the council to step in and fix Rosanna Rd.

“The State or Federal government does not take up their responsibilities. If we fixed up Rosanna Rd it would cost absolute millions,” Cr Langdon said.