‘Dangerous’: Parents’ plea for urgent safety improvements at Williamstown intersection

Parents fear it’s only a matter of time before another person is killed at a chaotic Williamstown intersection in Melbourne’s west.

Williamstown families have urged for immediate action to a "dangerous" intersection at Melbourne Road and Ferguson Street. Picture: Google Street View

Terrified families are begging for an urgent fix to a dangerous intersection in Williamstown where a 59-year-old man was killed by a bus in 2016.

At the October 12 Hobsons Bay council meeting, a petition with 245 signatures asked for immediate safety improvements at the intersection of Melbourne Road and Ferguson Street.

“We are concerned it is only a matter of time before a vehicle mounts the kerb which has high pedestrian traffic including many children,” the petition read.

Signatories asked for safety barriers to be installed at the intersection and construction of a pedestrian crossing near the Explorers Early Learning Childcare Centre.

In response, councillors unanimously endorsed a motion to explore the issue.

A report will return to council at a later date.

Councillor Peter Hempell said the intersection had been a serious concern for a “fair while” and asked councillors to support the investigation.

“It‘s a dangerous area and there’s no safe way to cross that intersection,” he said.

“I thought we‘d been working with the state government to fix it up.”

A 59-year-old Williamstown man was tragically killed while crossing the intersection in May 2016 after he was hit by a bus leading to calls from the community for action.

Safety at the intersection is the joint responsibility of the City of Hobsons Bay and VicRoads.

Department of Transport figures show nine crashes have been recorded at the site over the past decade, including five which resulted in serious injuries.

Following the 2016 fatality, a review of the intersection found no immediate changes were necessary however tree trimming and sign relocation took place.

A spokesperson said the department would continue to monitor traffic operations and will consider future improvements if necessary.

“The Department of Transport will continue to monitor traffic and safety at this intersection – as it does across Victoria’s arterial network,” the spokesperson said.

Hobsons Bay mayor Jonathon Marsden said the fatality had personally impacted his family as his wife had witnessed the death five years ago.

“I walk that intersection daily and agree it is a substandard intersection and very difficult to cross,” he said.

“Particularly with young children.”