THE Shire of Yarra Ranges is calling on VicRoads to install a pedestrian refuge at a busy Healesville intersection to improve pedestrian safety.
Ryrie Ward councillor Jeanette McRae said the shire had requested a pedestrian refuge be installed at the Badger Creek Road and Maroondah Highway intersection after safety concerns for people crossing Badger Creek Road from the township across to Queens Park.
“Queens Park features a well-used children’s playground and picnic area, while Badger Creek Road is the main access road to Healesville Sanctuary, which has around 300,000 visitors each year, so pedestrian and traffic volumes are very high in the area,” Cr McRae said.
“Not only do pedestrians have to negotiate heavy traffic, they have to cross a width of about 30 metres before reaching safety at the other side of the road.
She said the shire has recently been told by VicRoads that this request is low priority, but the community has genuine safety concerns surrounding this intersection.
“Healesville is a very busy township and this particular intersection is a major crossing point for pedestrians to access Queens Park,” Cr McRae said.
“It’s an accident waiting to happen, these types of pedestrian safety treatments are relatively inexpensive to install, and priceless when it means protecting pedestrians crossing the road.”
Cr McRae said the shire would continue to lobby VicRoads for the pedestrian safety refuge.
“Is it going to take someone to be killed or seriously injured before VicRoads realises how dangerous this intersection is?” Cr McRae asked.
“This might be a low priority for VicRoads, but it is a huge priority for our local community. The shire will continue to push for pedestrian safety at this intersection and ensure the voice of our local community is heard.”
– Melissa Meehan
