Sunbury crash hot spot sparks new road safety campaign
HESITATION and unease are among the feelings, which take over drivers when they pull up at this intersection. Now a new report says it needs fixing.
North West
Don't miss out on the headlines from North West. Followed categories will be added to My News.
TRAFFIC lights at the intersection of Barkly St and Macedon St have become a new priority as drivers play “Russian roulette”.
The Sunbury Town Centre Local Area Traffic Management (LATM) Study was adopted by Hume Council last week and spells out parking and engineering changes necessary to improve movement in the town centre.
DESIGN PROGRESSES FOR NOTORIOUS SUNBURY ROUNDABOUT
TERRIFYING MACEDON ST ROAD RAGE ATTACK
WIN FOR MAJOR SUNBURY ROAD IN STATE BUDGET
The report outlined the council had already sought in-principal support from VicRoads for the works and would consider its own contribution to fast-track the project.
Sunbury councillor Jack Medcraft said the intersection at Barkly and Macedon St was a growing problem and dangerous — his wife among those who have had an accident there.
“To get some action on this intersection, whether it’s traffic lights or possibly a roundabout, would be a huge win and it’s nearly as important as the Gap Rd and Horne St intersection for Sunbury,” he said.
“Anyone turning right from Barkly St onto Macedon St has two lanes on both sides to navigate. There’s hesitation and it’s a game of Russian roulette frankly.”
Cr Medcraft said the estimated $1.2 million project would ease the strain on Evans St which many Goonawarra-bound motorists use to get out of the town centre.
“There shouldn’t be that many people using Evans St as you have a pedestrian crossing and shoppers coming out of the Sunbury Square.”
Sunbury Residents Association president Peter Free said the council’s advocacy role was welcome.
“It’s a dangerous spot there and we need the council to be pushing VicRoads to get that done,” he said.
Mr Free said it was inevitable further traffic calming measures such as traffic lights would be needed in Sunbury as the community grew.
Sunbury Labor state MP Josh Bull said he welcomed discussion on the intersection.
“At this stage the government has not been approached by the City of Hume in relation to lights at Barkley St, however I welcome any discussion that strives to improve road safety and alleviate congestion,” he said.
Other changes set for Sunbury include the removal of a variety all-day parking spots, making two-hour parking areas. The changes will cater for disabled drivers and clients of agencies such as Sunbury Community Health.
The study didn’t consider the wider implications of providing more parking areas in the town centre, a priority for the Sunbury Business Association and others.
The State Government has committed to building 300 new commuter car parks in Sunbury, but have yet to release detail as to where they will be built.
MORE NEWS
Ultimate club-by-club NPL Victoria season preview
The NPL Victoria season is officially underway. Check out all the ins and outs and star players at every club. Plus, our premiership predictions for the NPL and VPL seasons.
Why a northern suburbs shopping centre is unbearably hot
Customers and staff at a major Melbourne shopping say they are “fainting” and “vomiting” as they endure extreme heat and a broken air con system management has failed to fix.