Pleas for traffic lights at a busy Coldstream intersection are rejected by VicRoads

VICROADS says a Coldstream intersection is safe despite community pleas to install traffic lights.

Coldstream 2020 group’s Mario Galteri. Picture Lawrence Pinder

VICROADS has ruled out installing traffic lights at a Coldstream intersection despite calls from emergency services to improve its safety.

The renewed plea for lights at the intersection of Maroondah Highway and Killara Rd follows the death of a Lilydale man who was hit by a car as he crossed the road on March 12.

He was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries but died eight days later.

Coldstream Country Fire Authority captain John Fenton said he had been campaigning for traffic lights to be installed at the intersection for more than a decade.

“It’s always been a situation that’s been concerning,” Mr Fenton said.

“I believe with the growth of that section, especially with the tourists on the weekends, it’s only going to get worse.

“There’s a lot of near misses that go on there every day.”

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But VicRoads metro south east regional director Aidan McGann said the intersection was considered safe.

Mr McGann said before the March 12 accident, the intersection had no reported injury crashes in the five years to June 30, 2014.

Mr McGann said the 70km/h speed limit, low traffic volume from Killara Rd, good sight distance in both directions and the pedestrian island opposite the bus stop allowed drivers and pedestrians to make safe decisions.

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Mr Fenton said the Coldstream fire trucks often had trouble getting out from their Killara Rd station, which stopped them from getting to emergencies faster.

“When we try to exit, a lot of the general public try to beat us and get past us before we get out,” he said.

“The lights would at least stop the traffic.”

Coldstream 2020 group’s Mario Galteri it was a nuisance to get out of Killara Rd at any time of the day.

”On weekends it’s almost impossible,” Mr Galteri said.

“Sometimes you might have to wait five minutes, and it’s when you get angry and frustrated that you end up taking a risk.”

Evelyn State Liberal MP Christine Fyffe said she had advocated strongly for lights at the intersection.

Mrs Fyffe said she would ask VicRoads again to assess the safety needs of pedestrians and vehicles at the intersection.