Popular Brunswick road left as a ’death trap’ after water works
A popular Brunswick thoroughfare has been turned into a “patchwork quilt” of potholes and uneven surfaces following water main works, with furious cyclists arguing it’s another example of their treatment as second-class road users.
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Part of a popular Brunswick street has been left in such poor condition following water main works that cyclists are forced to swerve into traffic, fearing for their safety.
The works on Sydney Rd left the surface “like a patchwork quilt” according to cyclists, with potholes and uneven patches making it almost impossible to ride on.
The section of road, between Brunswick Rd and Union St, recently had works completed on it by Yarra Valley Water.
Yarra Valley Water general manager distribution services, Dona Tantirimudalige, said a temporary layer of asphalt was laid over the surface of the works at the end of each day to allow traffic to travel over it.
“Unfortunately, cars and trucks travelling over it has at times made the temporary asphalt unsmooth,” she said.
“Permanent asphalting works have now been completed and we thank motorists for their patience.”
Katie Rose, who rides the section of road to work each day, said the state it was left in wasn’t acceptable and presented safety risks for cyclists.
“The way it is at the moment it is a death trap with the condition of the road,” she said.
“During peak hour, there is no way you can ride in it otherwise you’d be bounced off into the path of traffic, it’s that uneven.
“Cyclists have been riding into the car lanes and the drivers just think we are being arrogant or whatever coming into their lane, but it’s all we can do.”
Ms rose said the issues had been going on for about a month and it showed cyclists weren’t being treated as equal road users.
In 2015 Italian national Alberto Paulon was killed on Sydney Rd when a car opened its door, knocking him into the path of an oncoming truck.
Talks were held at the time between the State Government, the council, cycling groups and police to work on making the road safer for cyclists.
Brunswick state Greens MP Tim Read echoed Ms Rose’s comments and said it was another example of cyclists being treated as second-class citizens, calling for things to be made easier for cyclists, not harder.
“The current state of Sydney Rd encourages people to drive when everyone knows we need to be doing everything we can to get people out of their cars,” he said.
“Sydney Rd has remained dominated by cars for decades, it’s time to bring it into the 21st century before it’s too late”.
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Moreland Council director city infrastructure Greg Gale said it was up to VicRoads to specify and manage any reinstatement requirements and urged people to report any damages to the roadway to VicRoads.
VicRoads has been contacted for comment.