Roundabout row

By Melissa Meehan
YARRA Glen resident Noel Nicolson is outraged after receiving a letter from VicRoads informing her of traffic changes in the town.
She said the letter has sent shockwaves through the community with the decision to introduce a roundabout at King Street sure to impact heavily on all residents.
But VicRoads said it is not safe to keep King Street access the way it is.
The letter, received by Mrs Nicolson last week, informs residents of the construction plans for the roll out of the Yarra Glen Truck Bypass – with works to begin this week.
It then explains that King Street, with its close proximity to the new Bell Street roundabout, will change the access to the street to a “left-in, left-out only” arrangement. This means when the project is completed, drivers will not be able to turn right into or out of King Street where it meets Bell Street.
Mrs Nicolson said the plans for the roundabout would change the nature of the town forever.
“People and businesses in King Street and all surrounding streets are affected,” she said.
“There will be no right turn at the bottom of King Street around the roundabout for people travelling over the bridge to Lilydale.
“They suggest somehow we hang a U-turn in the middle of a highway if we want to cross the bridge.”
But VicRoads project director Frank De Santis said planners had undertaken significant community consultation regarding the Yarra Glen Truck Bypass. “We understand the issues with the close proximity of King Street to the new Bell Street roundabout and our road safety experts have looked at the design and considered a range of factors to ensure the best protection for all road users,” he said.
“After careful investigations, the new access will be ‘left in, left out’ only.
“Smaller vehicles will be able to safely make a U-turn at the service lane located along Bell Street to travel back towards Melbourne.
He said works on the roundabout were expected to start in early 2010.
“And another thing,” Mrs Nicolson said.
“On the map included with the letter a dotted line shows how heavy vehicles and anyone else from Lilydale going over the Christmas Hills should turn at the roundabout, up King Street to Glenview Road and then up through the hills.
“This is wrong.”
Mrs Nicolson said she believed the purpose of the bypass and roundabout should be to keep trucks away from residential areas.
“It’s supposed to make road use easier, not more difficult,” she said.
“Why must town residents be the last people considered?” In the letter, VicRoads thanked King Street residents and businesses, the Yarra Glen Township Group and the Yarra Glen Chamber of Commerce for their time and valuable feedback in regards to this issue.
“We will work with residents and keep the community updated prior to and during roundabout works to minimise disruption,” the letter states.