Crossings cash

By Ed Merrison
MORE than $400,000 will be ploughed into the Warburton Highway to improve safety for pedestrians in Millgrove and Warburton.
The Minister for Transport, Peter Batchelor, made separate announcements for the developments at both locations last Wednesday, 21 September.
Joined by the Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato, Mr Batchelor told Millgrove community members of a new $164,000 traffic light facility that would form part of the Warburton Rail Trail.
Mr Batchelor said the crossing would be of obvious benefit for cyclists and pedestrians, making amends for the lack of safe access for crossing the highway, but also said he hoped the changes would bring the community together.
“It’s a small announcement, but we recognise the bigger importance of it,” Mr Batchelor said.
“The Warburton Rail Trail is a popular route for people who wish to enjoy the beautiful local scenery while walking, cycling and horse riding.
“The trail crosses the Warburton Highway and these new pedestrian operated signals will provide a much safer crossing point,” Ms Lobato said.
Andy White, a Millgrove Residents Action Group (MRAG) committee member, welcomed the news and its implications for the town.
“What we’re concerned about, apart from the safety element for the rail trail, is the wasted reserve here that we’d love to do something with.
“This makes a huge difference not just to the trail, but also to the future of the reserve,” he said.
In Warburton, Mr Batchelor announced an initiative that would see $248,000 spent on the installation of pedestrian signals near the Water Wheel Visitor and Information Centre.
“This will be very welcome news for the community and for the Shire of Yarra Ranges, who have been active in voicing their concerns about safety at this location,” Mr Batchelor said.
“The location experiences high pedestrian activity as locals and visitors cross the highway to access either the shops or the visitor centre.
“The speed limit has been reduced to 50km/h, and this latest initiative enhances pedestrian safety even further.”
Mr Batchelor said pedestrian safety was a key part of the Government’s Arrive Alive! road safety strategy that aimed to reduce the road toll by 20 per cent by 2007.
Sue Mann, of the community group Bridge 3799, was present at the Water Wheel and said she looked forward to the improved safety the new crossing would bring.
“It’s fantastic. It’s been a while we’ve been working on this for years so we’re delighted,” Ms Mann said.
John Cantle, Warburton Senior Citizens’ Representative, said the crossing would especially benefit the elderly and partially deaf, a sector of the community which makes frequent trips to the town’s post office located opposite the Water Wheel.
“The post office is the most important building in the long run, and we tend to get an enormous amount of traffic through here motorbikes, log trucks and delivery lorries.
“The 50km/h limit has helped but having pedestrian lights will slow the traffic down even more.”
According to Ms Lobato, the Millgrove project will be completed at the very beginning of 2006, when work will start on the Warburton crossing.