‘IMMEDIATE’ SAFETY FIX REQUIRED
Member for Western Victoria Region, Bev McArthur used an adjournment debate in Parliament this week to raise concern over the delay in installing a safety fix on Thompson Road in Geelong.
Six people have tragically died on Thompson Road this year, with another two hospitalised last week. In early September, the Member for Lara and Regional Roads Victoria announced that between Morgan Street and Separation Street, Thompson Road would be reduced to one lane in a six-month safety trial. Since the announcement, another man has died after being struck by a car at an intersection along the road.
Bev McArthur said “What was the delay? VicRoads could not secure a contractor to complete the works, we were told. Now Regional Roads Victoria says it has secured a contractor, but no-one will confirm when the works will begin.”
Bev McArthur said “With more than a month having passed since the proposal was going to be ‘immediately’ implemented and an unknown date of commencement said to be at some point in November, drivers and pedestrians continue to be put at risk because of this government’s incompetency.”
“Is reducing important roads to one lane really the best safety measure against crashes caused by rear-ending and right turns? If the best solution is to simply reduce the road to one lane, surely there is an immediate quick fix where cones or barriers could be placed along one of the lanes.”
“Residents should not have to wait months on end for simple and straightforward solutions to road safety.”
“The Minister must ensure VicRoads immediately begins implementing a safety fix on Thompson Road before more lives are lost, as it has previously promised to do,” she concluded.
31 October 2019