Yarra Boulevard residents in Kew fear for their safety from speeding and dangerous drivers

One of Melbourne’s major cycling thoroughfares continues to be “plagued” by chronic hooning — and a promised $5 million from the federal government to install CCTV, lights and speed bumps on the Kew road is yet to materialise, nine months on.

Yarra Boulevard residents, including Cameron Clark, are worried about the constant dangerous driving along the Kew road. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Hoons continue to tear up and down a troublesome Kew street and homeowners are at their wits’ end with no word on a promised federal government $5 million upgrade.

The government announced the funds for Yarra Boulevard in April, designed to cover CCTV, lighting and speed inhibitors.

But nine months on nothing has been done, with the money having to pass through the State Government to VicRoads.

Meanwhile the picturesque road turns into a racetrack late at night and on weekends.

“It is still going on, still plaguing the local residents,” Yarra Boulevard Action Group president Cameron Clark said.

“All the residents are frustrated. They’re trying to be patient.”

This tree damaged on the corner of Yarra Boulevard and Yarra St shows its wounds from an accident. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Mr Clark said the worst areas for hoon activity were near Bellbird Park, at the intersection with Yarra St and just past the Studley Park Rd entrance.

“The biggest risk to me and other supporters is that the road carries a lot of cyclists, a lot of people walking dogs, running or walking for exercise,” he said.

“Sooner or later one of the innocents are going to get collected and at that speed they’re not going to survive.”

VicRoads recorded 37 crashes on the boulevard during a four-year period to December 2018, resulting in one death and 12 serious injuries.

Nunawading Highway Patrol Sergeant Simon Webb said the area had been subject to hoon driving “over a long period of time”.

“It’s undergone substantial engineering by VicRoads (through the decades) in order to slow traffic down and it is also subject to enforcement operations and random traffic patrols,” he said.

The intersection of Yarra St and Yarra Boulevard is one of the hot spots. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“Unfortunately we still get a hoon element which causes problems.”

Sgt Webb said chicanes and roundabouts had seen it quieten through the years, but that “a rogue element” was still causing trouble.

“We don’t particularly want speed humps all over the road,” he said.

“It is a beautiful road and attracts lots of tourists, pedestrians and push bikes, with parklands and the reserve to enjoy.

State Government spokeswoman Julia Donovan said work was being done with the Federal Government to make Yarra Boulevard safer.

“We’ve already made a number of short-term upgrades to Yarra Boulevard and we ask anyone who witnesses dangerous driving to contact the police,” Ms Donovan said.

Recent improvements include installing CCTV near the bridge over the Eastern Freeway and raised median markers.

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Kooyong federal Liberal MP Josh Frydenberg said the department had been in discussions with the State Government on all Budget and election commitments, with work underway on all projects.

“As this work progresses, time frames for construction will be confirmed,” Mr Frydenberg said.

Transport Department spokeswoman Lauren Hilbert said safety was their “number one priority” and there was no excuse for speeding or dangerous driving.

“We understand the community’s concerns and that’s why we continue working on short and long-term solutions to make Yarra Boulevard safer for everyone,” she said.