Calls to improve town’s main street

IN her eleven years living in Teesdale, Jodi Bloink never thought much of the traffic conditions outside the town’s general store and post office.

That was until the issue was raised in the community and she witnessed it firsthand.

“A couple of weeks ago I was there trying to cross the road to chat to a friend,” she said.

“There were cars going in both directions, no brakes in the traffic. There were cars parked all along the general store, and there were three different groups trying to get across as well.

“People were literally playing dodgems with cars and I actually felt unsafe trying to get across.”

Ms Bloink has since started a petition asking to improve crossing conditions for the Bannockburn-Shelford Road location.

She said with its proximity to Teesdale Primary School, and as the town’s primary source of mail collection, its status as a central location invites plenty of traffic.

“The only way you get to your post is to visit the general store and I think a lot of parents will do that at school pick up time,” she said.

“That’s by far the most noticeable time for how bad it gets, and the school’s population, like the rest of the town, has grown significantly over a few years.

“A number of locals have had to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting children, so it’s only a matter of time before someone gets hurt.”

Ms Bloink said short of diverting the road around the carpark, she’d like to see a pedestrian crossing or flashing signage in an extension of the school zone.

The petition has over 150 signatures, and a spokesperson from the Department of Transport said they are working towards a solution.

“We are currently assessing a request from the Golden Plains Shire council to extend the 60kph zone in Teesdale to improve safety,” they said.

Golden Plains Shire mayor Cr Gavin Gamble said the municipality will continue to lobby for the Teesdale’s road safety conditions.

“We have been making representations to the Victorian Government and will continue to advocate for pedestrian safety improvements on the busy Main Road in Teesdale,” he said.

“Ahead of the State Government elections this year, the issue of pedestrian safety will be raised in discussions with candidates.”