Calls for flimsy Heathmont bridge barrier to be replaced

This Heathmont road has been the scene of many frightening accidents, including a B-double crash that was captured on dashcam. Now anger is growing over another danger spot, where a wire barrier on a rail bridge “wouldn’t even stop a push bike”.

Dave Edwards next to the barrier on the Heathmont railbridge. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Traders and pedestrians are calling for improved safety at a busy Maroondah rail bridge which has only a flimsy barrier to protect people from out-of-control cars.

Trucks and cars have hit the fencing as they approach traffic lights at the intersection of Heathmont and Canterbury roads, with the latest crash just last Tuesday at 11am. VicRoads repaired the fence within 24 hours.

Dave Edwards, who has lived in Heathmont for 30 years, said it was the third time he’d seen the fencing damaged this year.

“It’s just wire, it wouldn’t even stop a push bike,” he said.

“There is no proper guard rail for pedestrians and it’s just luck that no one has been killed.”

The Village Food Store’s Kellie Herrmann, who is in nearby Heathmont Village, called for urgent action.

“That intersection is not good in a lot of ways, but the fence is the most unsafe part of it,” she said.

“It’s a major thoroughfare and people aren’t taking their time.”

The damaged pedestrian barrier on Canterbury Rd in Heathmont last Tuesday. Picture: Dave Edwards.

Members of the Meanwhile In Heathmont Facebook page also expressed their concerns.

Margaret Roper called for red light cameras at the intersection while Michael Birt said the barrier needed “a better solution than school boundary-style fencing”.

The stretch of road has been the scene of frightening accidents in the past two years.

In February 2018, a car smashed into the same fence on the railbridge after it suddenly veered onto the other side road and allegedly hit six other cars.

In September 2017, a B-double truck also went over the median strip and slammed into a fence, narrowly avoiding other vehicles.

Traders have previously pleaded to reduce the speed limit around Heathmont Village to 40km/h.

The speed limit on the section of Canterbury Rd dropped from 70km/h to 60km/h in 2015.

Maroondah Mayor Rob Steane said the council had been advocating for improvements for many years and wanted to see a separate pedestrian bridge built.

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VicRoads, the responsible authority for the road, has received three complaints about cars hitting the fence in the past 12 months.

Spokesman Devjeet Vagel said it would continue to monitor traffic and pedestrian safety to determine the need for any improvements.

Bayswater state Labor MP Jackson Taylor said the intersection had “a chequered past”.

Mr Taylor said he would meet with VicRoads’ regional director and raise safety concerns in state parliament this week.

“I am determined to work with locals, VicRoads and all involved to work towards safer outcomes in the area for vehicles and pedestrians,” he said.

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