Calls for change at intersection

RESIDENTS in the Bunkers Hill area are calling to lower the speed limit at a local intersection following multiple accidents and the death of a young women.

The Finchs and Greenhalghs road intersection currently has a speed limit of 100kph on Greenhalghs Road and 80kph on Finchs Road, however, locals are calling for this to be reduced to 80kph and 60kph for each road respectively.

They also want a stop sign instead of a give way sign at the crossroads with the hope of a roundabout in the long term.

Alex Haines was killed in a motor vehicle collision at the intersection last year when a driver failed to give way, and since then more than 800 people have signed the petition calling for the changes.

The City of Ballarat is responsible for making an assessment of the site and presenting findings to the Department of Transport and Planning for review.

Director of infrastructure Bridgit Wetherell said the municipality is currently working to make the intersection safer.

“The City of Ballarat is in the process of making a detailed submission to the Federal Government’s Black Spot Funding Program for a roundabout to address improvements at the intersection of Greenhalghs and Finchs roads,” she said.

“In the meantime, a concept design has been submitted to the Department of Transport and Planning to install rumble strips at the intersection.

“The intention is to get this work done as soon as possible with funding coming from the City of Ballarat’s local area traffic management budget.

“Whilst only an interim measure while we await the outcome of the Black Spot Funding Program submission, this will highlight the intersection for approaching drivers and improve driver safety.”