Plea from the heart
Trader calls for action at crash central
SHOP owner Phill Matthey is urging VicRoads to synchronise lights on one of the city’s busiest roads after a rising number of collisions.
The Manifold Heights greengrocer, who runs King Broccoli, said synchronising pedestrian lights near Catherine St and traffic lights on Albert St would solve much of the difficulty motorists had trying to turn into Shannon Ave from roads in between.
“I understand they’re pinned to a money target but this is people’s safety,” he said.
“Here we’re going to lose one of our driveways and that’s fine but those side streets, they’re almost impossible to turn out of.
“There’s 18,000-odd vehicles travelling down here each day. Improvements are needed, but we must make sure they’re the best possible solutions, not just a bunch of (signs) to slow traffic.”
In the past five years, 39 crashes have been reported on the north end of Shannon Ave between William and Britannia streets.
Eight of those crashes involved pedestrians, and three involved cyclists.
Mr Matthey has owned the produce store for almost 30 years and urged others in the area to come forward and sup- port the upgrades, which he said were likely to include reducing part of the busy stretch to 40km/h.
The safety review is part of a $900,000 upgrade to pedestrian safety along Shannon Ave, between Douglass and Skene streets.
The proposed changes include installing pedestrian refuges, footpath upgrades, raised crossing areas over side streets, formalised parking, road line-marking and traffic lights with turning arrows.
VicRoads regional director Mark Koliba said, given the strong level of local interest, VicRoads would look to conduct a second walk and talk tour for those looking to contribute their ideas.
“To make sure we get these improvements right, we are talking with traders, local schools, sporting clubs and members of the community who rely on Shannon Ave every day,” he said.
The works are to begin late next month.
Anyone who is interested in meeting VicRoads for a walk and talk can email fiona.simp son@roads.vic.gov.au.