By Jed Lanyon
There have been no answers for residents’ requests for better road crossing safety near Reefton following the removal of a pedestrian bridge almost three years ago.
The removal of the McMahon’s Creek bridge by VicRoads in July 2017 meant that no path exists on Woods Point Road over McMahons Creek for local residents.
Woods Point Road is shared by trucks, buses and other motorists, putting pedestrians at risk who must walk along a narrow road shoulder to cross McMahons Creek.
Residents have expressed their concerns about the lack of pedestrian facilities and safety issues that have resulted for schoolchildren and the community. These concerns were echoed by Yarra Ranges council at their recent meeting on 25 February.
Reefton/McMahons Creek Action Group member Phil Molin expressed his frustrations over the ongoing issue, referring to the road as a ‘death trap’.
“It virtually cuts the community in half… We just can’t get over there. It’s unsafe. Somebody is going to die on that bridge.”
O’Shannassy Ward Councillor, Jim Child, says that council will continue to request for the reinstatement of the pedestrian bridge amid the safety concerns.
“It’s been three years, and this is an accident waiting to happen,” Cr Child said.
“The community continues to raise their concerns with the pedestrian safety issues on Woods Point Road, so we’ve written again to the Department of Transport advocating for the reinstatement of the bridge.
“To this point the department is yet to prioritise the project for funding, which would come in at a cost of around $200,000. We think this is a modest amount given the real safety concerns.”
Council moved a motion at last week’s meeting to again write to the department of transport and relevant ministers seeking urgent action on the reinstatement of the pedestrian bridge.
