Surf Coast Highway roundabout still scene of multiple crashes, residents warn

Resident living near at a notorious SurfCoast Highway intersection say a roundabout hasn’t been enough to stop the accidents.

James Brandt is still calling for improved safety along the Surfcoast Hwy.

Residents living near a notorious Surf Coast Highway intersection say the installation of a roundabout hasn’t stopped crashes occurring at their doorsteps.

Torquay resident Chris Anderson uses the roundabout daily and has not only seen multiple accidents but been involved in them himself.

“It’s out of control,” he said.

The roundabout, at the intersection of the Surf Coast Highway, South Beach and Messmate roads, was installed in 2020 in a bid to improve safety.

The speed limit leading into the roundabout is 80km/h from Surfcoast Highway, and 60km/h from the other roads.

Mr Anderson has called for additional safety measures – such as flashing lights – to address the concerns.

“I’ve almost been taken out three times, it needs some amber flashing lights or something,” he said.

“The council’s solution to the problem is to cut all the trees down, not very progressive.”

Another Torquay resident, James Brandt, said he initially thought the roundabout was a “brilliant” idea.

But Mr Brandt said while it was “a lot better” than before, he had still witnessed multiple crashes and even more near-misses there since its construction.

“Since it’s been built I’ve seen three or four (accidents),” he said.

The Surfcoast Highway roundabout intersecting with Messmate and South Beach roads in Torquay. Picture: Alison Wynd

Two weeks ago, he said he’d witnessed a young man who was lucky to walk away alive.

“The young kid was flying and sure enough he spun out, he was the first I’ve seen to hit the barrier,” he said.

“Usually they miss the barrier and go straight into that row of bushes along the Surf Coast Highway.”

“Before the roundabout, I saw someone killed there, that hasn’t happened since (the roundabout was built), so it is an improvement.”

In 2018, Mr Brandt met VicRoads representatives on behalf of Torquay residents during the roadworks on the roundabout, seeking safer bus stops and the urgent construction of footpaths for schoolchildren.

He said while the bus stop was moved, the footpaths had not been built and children still had to walk along a dirt patch on the roadside.

Council said the tracks were a “temporary” solution while the surrounding land was developed.

Department of Transport executive director for Barwon South West and Grampians Michael Bailey said the authority would continue to work with council to make the “crucial stretch” of road as safe as possible.

“Since the construction of the new roundabout, we’ve seen a reduction in the number of crashes that have occurred at this location, as well as the severity of crashes when they do occur,” he said.

Surf Coast Council acting general manager, placemaking and environment, Gabby Spiller said council had not received any recent community feedback about this intersection.

“We speak regularly to (the) Department of Transport and Planning about road safety and can raise community concerns about this intersection when feedback is received,” Ms Spiller said. 

Originally published as Surf Coast Highway roundabout still scene of multiple crashes, residents warn