Roundabout for ‘race track’ intersection

RODNEY Price was one resident welcoming action to curb risky driving at a Sebastopol intersection last week.

On Friday 1 May, it was announced $945,000 had been allocated to build a roundabout between Grant and Walker streets as part of the federal government’s Black Spot Program.

Price, who has lived in the area for about 12 months and whose son was killed in a car crash, said the crossing was treated like a “race track”.

“Despite there being stop signs, motorists just sail through the intersection, not acknowledging that there’s stop signs, and I’ve seen so many near misses as a result of that,” he said.

Price said in one three-week period he saw three accidents.

“I’ve seen some cars go through a couple of fences here,” he said.

He said something had to be done to improve both the intersection and driving behaviour.

“It’s only a matter of time before someone gets killed, seriously injured, whatever.”

Federal Ballarat MP Catherine King said the crossing had become a “rat run”.

“We know that there have been serious injuries here at this intersection,” she said. “And residents telling us that they are constantly hearing traffic accidents and near misses just with the volume of traffic.

“We’ve increased the money for black spots to allow local councils right the way across our communities here in Ballarat, but right the way across Victoria as well, to apply for more money to be able to really get intersections much safer for local people.”

She said roundabouts were an effective way of slowing motorists down.

City of Ballarat mayor Cr Tracey Hargreaves said the council had heard from residents it was important to complete the works.

“This is an intersection that has had a troubled history of incidents and near misses,” she said.

“We’ve even had some residents this morning come out and tell us that they’re really happy that this intersection is getting that treatment to make it safer for everyone.”

She said the council would consider other safety measures that could be taken with the roundabout.