Time to heed warning

FROM Boxing Day until early January, a horror run of accidents at a Birregurra intersection dominated the local news.

After a crash that killed 52year-old Batesford man George Hullo on Boxing Day, a string of accidents injured another nine people in a matter of days at the intersection of BirregurraDeans Marsh and Colac-Lorne Rd at Deepdene Rd.

Day after day, police scanners carried news of yet another serious crash and the increasingly notorious intersection. It all seemed almost unbelievable — except to the locals whose warnings about the intersection had fallen on deaf ears for years.

Local fireman Gavin Brien, nearby residents and regular road users all said the intersection was a death trap waiting to happen — and their premonitions were brought into stark reality in one horror week over the New Year period.

There is a ring of familiarity to the calls from Ocean Grove residents over a local intersection where a young motorcycle rider suffered grave injuries last week.

More than 1000 locals in three days have signed a petition calling for upgrades to the intersection of Orton St and Presidents Ave, citing its poor visibility, increased traffic and unusual misalignment as contributing to a series of accidents at the site.

The intersection bridges entrances to the town’s main shopping centre and popular surf beach. With little lighting, a steep incline and a bend on a busy road, there is only a lone stop sign to help organise traffic.

Locals have become increasingly concerned for years to the point where they try to avoid using the intersection all together. And the serious injuries to teen rider Tyler Pearce last week have only strengthened residents’ belief that a death at the intersection is only a matter of time.

Ocean Grove residents are calling for a roundabout or traffic lights. Coincidently, that was also the request of Birregurra residents. This time it would be good for authorities to act before it’s too late.