By Kath Gannaway
A Seville East mum is calling on VicRoads to provide a safe crossing on the Warburton Highway between Seville and Woori Yallock.
Beth Grimshaw has launched a petition on social media platform ‘gopetition’ and is getting plenty of support for the proposal and for her contention that the crossing point which provides access to local bus stops is a danger.
Ms Grimshaw, who has lived in the area for six years, said that a single cattle bridge was the only crossing point on the 90km/h stretch of highway between the two towns and was used by dozens of school children and others each day.
“With no crossing within a half-hour walk, people have no choice but to cross the dangerous highway,” she said.
“This resulted in a 21-year-old woman with special needs being hit by a truck in May last year,” Ms Grimshaw added.
She said although the person survived, her injuries at the time were life-threatening.
“There are accidents on the road all the time, and before that happened people were saying someone was going to get hit by a car.
Ms Grimshaw said she had spoken to VicRoads and that after surveying the area she had been advised they would install a new advisory sign.
One suggestion is to lower the speed limit at that intersection, but Ms Grimshaw says while that may improve the situation, it will not solve it.
An island crossing may be an option if traffic lights were ruled out due to cost and/or disruption to traffic.
Local residents have supported the petition with Lisa Supple commenting “We have been trying to get this crossing put in for years! Makes me sick thinking about my kids crossing here every night.”
Sandra Wollberg commented that as a wheelchair user she would love to catch the bus into town but crossing the highway is too unsafe.
Andrea Hindle commented that the combination of the 80-90km/h speed limit, more than one street joining onto the highway and “idiot drivers” causes her to worry every day about her kids crossing for the bus stop.
“Would like this for your kids?” she said.
A spokesperson for VicRoads said while they had not received the final petition, they welcomed the community taking the time to make its views known.
“VicRoads will consider the petition and funding opportunities in light of other local and state-wide road safety priorities.”
Petition link : https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/warburton-highway-needs-a-safe-crossing.html
