2015-09-17
Ms PENNICUIK (Southern Metropolitan) — My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Mr Donnellan, and concerns the need for a safe pedestrian crossing on the corner of Grange and Oakleigh roads, Carnegie. The matter was raised with me and other members by a constituent by email on 10 September. The constituent wrote:
I live on Oakleigh Road in Carnegie, within approx. 50 metres from Grange Road. I am married and have a toddler.
I am very concerned with the danger to not only myself but to my family and other pedestrians when crossing over Grange Road. I am aware this has been brought up in the past, however I believe something should be done.
There is a kindergarten directly across Grange Road, not to mention schools and childcare centres, all of which have families that live on the other side of Grange Road. For anyone with mobility issues, be it disabled, elderly pensioner or young children, this is an almost impossible place to cross. I am aware that there are crossings at Glen Huntly Primary School and North Road, however, when mobility is an issue these are much too far away.
I believe traffic lights or at least a pedestrian crossing is needed at this intersection. There have been countless near misses both pedestrian and vehicular with several accidents actually occurring. This is a very busy intersection during peak hours as well as at kinder/school pick-up times. This is made more difficult still by reduced visibility of oncoming traffic caused by parked cars.
The website for the Rosstown walking trail which extends from Elsternwick to Oakleigh advises that the track 'is suitable for all ages'. Further, it gives directions to '13. Continue along Oakleigh Road to Grange Road' and '14. Cross over Grange Road to Melton Avenue on the right'. This is unsafe for people using the walking trail as there is no safe way to avoid the traffic.
I am very familiar with the location mentioned, and I understand that the Glen Eira Council has been advocating for a safe crossing at the site for a long time without success. There is a pedestrian crossing at Booran Road where the cycle path crosses, and there should be one at Grange Road too. The constituent has also included a petition signed by 34 people who frequent the area and local kindergartens and schools in support of the addition of traffic lights or a pedestrian crossing. I urge the minister to work with VicRoads to install a safe crossing at the intersection of Grange and Oakleigh roads.
REPLY on 10 November 2015:
VicRoads is aware of community concerns relating to the safety of pedestrians crossing Grange Road near the intersection with Oakleigh Road, and has undertaken detailed investigations to determine the most appropriate safety improvement for this location which may include the installation of traffic signals with associated pedestrian crossing facilities.
VicRoads receives many requests each year for the installation of new road safety infrastructure throughout Victoria. All requests are prioritised based on the extent to which such a treatment would improve safety at the site. VicRoads considers factors such as the need to cater for pedestrians, the historical safety record of the site, the impact that treating the site would have on the performance of the surrounding road network and the implementation costs.
VicRoads will ensure that any road safety upgrade will provide the greatest safety benefits for all road users, including pedestrians wishing to cross Grange Road.
This proposal will be considered for funding in a future program along with other state-wide priorities.