Wire left in Bannockburn roundabout ‘accident waiting to happen’

The region’s roads chief has hit out at an unknown person for moving safety barriers blocking a hazard left protruding on to the road at a roundabout upgrade near Geelong, but locals say it should have been moved to start with.

Golden Plains residents have raised alarm bells after a wire was left exposed in the middle of a roundabout.

The exposed guy-wire attached to the nearby pole is yet to be relocated at the recently-installed roundabout at Kelly, Clyde and Geelong roads in Bannockburn.

Bannockburn Roundabout has an exposed wire.

But residents raised concerns after portable plastic barriers were easily shifted, leaving the wire exposed.

Resident Tara Savin said the situation was an “accident waiting to happen”.

“If a truck were to come around the corner and clip it, it could be disastrous,” she said.

“It just makes you concerned about the duty of care.”

It’s understood the wire is expected to be moved in mid-December.

Regional Roads Victoria Barwon South West director Michael Tudball said safety barriers would remain in place until the wire was moved by power authorities.

“Unfortunately, a member of the public had moved the safety barriers surrounding this wire, but they were quickly reinstated by our crews,” he said.

“Our safety barriers are there for a reason, and it’s disappointing that someone would put drivers and other road users at risk by tampering with them.”

But Ms Savin said she didn’t think the plastic safety barriers were enough to negate the risk.

“The wire should’ve been moved at the start of the project,” she said.

Bannockburn roundabout has an exposed wire.

“It’s a hazard and it makes you wonder about the chain of responsibility. Who would put their hand up if something actually happened?”

It’s understood crews will continue to monitor the site until work is complete.

The busy roundabout forms one of two Regional Roads Victoria projects sought-after by the growing town, with another being built at the intersection of the Midland Hwy and Clyde Rd.

Both intersections have been the site of several accidents and many near misses through the years.

“This intersection has long been a safety concern for local residents, who will be pleased to hear this project is one step closer to reality,” then-Mayor Owen Sharkey said at the time of the funding announcement for the Midland Highway intersection upgrade.

“Improving transport connectivity across Golden Plains Shire, and from the shire to Ballarat and Geelong, is vital to meet the demands of our communities and is essential to managing the growth of the region.”

Originally published as Wire left in Bannockburn roundabout ‘accident waiting to happen’