Dangerous stretch on Punt Rd, South Yarra to get fixed after crashes

A SLIPPERY slope on Punt Rd will be fixed, after a slew of cars ploughed into residents’ front fences during wet weather. Here’s when the comprehensive works on the busy arterial road will take place.

THE slippery slope of Punt Rd where eight cars have crashed into front fences during the past year will be fixed.

VicRoads will resurface an uphill section of the road between Alexandra Avenue and Domain Rd, South Yarra, next month.

The decision comes after the Herald Sun revealed last month that cars had been smashing the fences of four homes during wet weather.

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The car that crashed into a Punt Rd fence on December 3. Picture: Supplied.

Since that report, another car crashed just last Sunday, with the vehicle spinning out, hitting a fence and ending up on the footpath facing the wrong way.
And then on Thursday, a car — the eighth — smashed into the front fence of 500 Punt Rd, the second time it’s been hit.

Long-time resident Marc Corley, whose front fence has been hit twice in recent months, said he was relieved that action was being taken.

“We will definitely feel safer and we’re delighted that VicRoads has seen fit to fix what to us seems like an obvious problem,’’ Mr Corley said.

VicRoads Metro North West operations director Fatima Mohamed said the organisation had been working with residents to address their concerns.

“Following a review of the road’s condition, we are implementing a comprehensive package of works along Punt Rd.

“These works will include resurfacing and other safety treatments, that will reduce the likelihood of crashes.’’

Residents have expressed their anger at the dangerous stretch of Punt Rd in the past time. Picture: Nicole Garmston

The review of the road condition came after an initial report in October recommended resurfacing but management decided not to proceed. ‘Slippery When Wet’ signs were installed last month.

The latest report into the condition and safety of the road did not show significant risks.

​Even so, t​he road, which carries more than 30,000 cars a day, will be resurfaced for the first time in 20 years.

The works are expected to be done in the first two weeks of February, over two nights, to minimise disruption to traffic on the busy arterial road.

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@IanRoyall