Springvale-Old Warrandyte roads, Donvale: traffic lights
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Adjournment Debate
I raise a matter for the Minister for Roads and Ports. The action I seek is for him to ensure that the new traffic lights being installed at the busy Springvale Road-Old Warrandyte Road intersection in my electorate meet the needs of local residents. According to the former transport minister, these lights are being installed to 'improve safety and reduce delays at this busy intersection'.
I recently met with more than 40 residents near the site to discuss the plans, and they had a number of contributions they wished to be included in the design. The priority issue is pedestrian access to the planned bus stops on either side of Springvale Road near Berrima and Old Warrandyte roads. A pedestrian crossing or traffic lights need to be installed nearby because the stop serves many school runs.
Students alighting and boarding buses will risk rushing across four lanes of busy traffic rather than walking further along the street to the traffic lights to cross the road there. This needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency, and it could be a major safety issue.
Residents want assurances that the road will accommodate drivers turning left from Old Warrandyte Road east and that they will not be blocked by cars turning right at that intersection. Residents want keep-clear signs on both sides of Springvale Road -- one for cars exiting Berrima Road, one near the intersection of Old Warrandyte Road west and Springvale Road to allow cars to turn left, and another outside the unit development entrance on Old Warrandyte Road west near the intersection, as vehicles frequently block the entrance.
Berrima Road residents want to ensure that the centre median strip at the Berrima Road-Springvale Road intersection is wide enough to safely contain a car waiting to turn right onto Springvale Road rather than risk being hit by passing traffic, as is currently the case.
Residents in Berrima Road, Leslie Street and Serpells Terrace are concerned about traffic flows and want to know that their streets will be incorporated into traffic management planning once the lights are installed. This could include considering the sequencing of the new lights with those at Mitcham Road and those outside the Donvale Retirement Village to ensure smooth traffic flows. Residents want clarification on what vegetation will be removed and, importantly, what revegetation will be carried out. They also want to know what noise abatement measures will be put in place while these works are being carried out.
The works raise a number of questions about the government's ultimate agenda for this section of Springvale Road between Mitcham Road and Reynolds Road. Residents want to know what is planned for this arterial road in the future and when further work will be carried out. I have written to the regional director of the Metropolitan South East Regional Office, Mr Steve Brown, outlining these suggestions and questions. I will also give a copy of the residents' requests to the minister.
It is disappointing that VicRoads did not consult with residents about this significant intersection, as they clearly have a lot of good ideas to contribute to the planning. I strongly urge the minister to take the views of Doncaster residents into account and ensure that these new lights genuinely support the safety and ease of passage of local drivers, public transport users and pedestrians.
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