Local member for Eildon Cindy McLeish MP has backed Yarra Ranges Council’s call for the State Government to improve pedestrian safety at the Don Road and Warburton Highway intersection in Launching Place.
Ms McLeish called on the Minister for Roads and Road Safety in Parliament directly to ensure that council’s requests were met to upgrade the intersection with a new footpath and guardrail.
“The lack of pedestrian safety here has been causing problems for such a long time. This needs to change,” Ms McLeish said.
The current guard rail, obscured by shrubs, almost falls into the road gutter, leaving little to no space for pedestrians, often school students, to stand.
Pedestrians are forced to walk between the roadside and the guardrail to cross Don Road.
There is also no designated footpath, only a grass track, for those getting to and from the bus stop.
The Yarra Ranges Council and mayor Cr Jim Child have been proactive in seeking a solution by writing to the Minister for Roads and Road Safety wanting a formal safety review of the site and to upgrade the railing.
Yarra Ranges Council are hoping to build a new and purpose-built footpath along the Warburton Highway, remove the old guardrail and install a new guardrail.
Cr Child said close calls locals knew the dangers of the intersection.
“Pedestrians and drivers alike who live and work in the Upper Yarra know that the intersection of Don Road and Warburton Highway is difficult to navigate and obstructs safe pedestrian movement.”
“The existing State owned guardrail that’s been in place for a while now has caused some significant safety concerns for us and our community, in particular for school children and their families when trying to get to and from the bus stop.”
“This is something that needs to be addressed urgently, so we’re calling on the State Government to prioritise investment at the intersection and modify or upgrade their asset to address this safety issue as a priority.”
Ms McLeish called on the minister to follow through on their promises.
“I have heard the minister talk before about how safety on the roads is of utmost importance. I would like the minister to ensure that the Department of Transport and Planning have a good look at this intersection to change the position of that guardrail and install a footpath so that it can be made a lot safer.”
“It is a busy highway, with traffic flying down the hill and around the bend from Launching Place. There are also vehicles coming and going from The Launching Place Home Hotel directly opposite the intersection.”
“This absolutely needs to be done. I could not support the Yarra Ranges Council more in their bid to make this intersection much safer for school students.”
