MINIMUM standards have not been met on Smythesdale\u2019s Brooke Street to install a pedestrian crossing, according to Regional Roads Victoria.<\/p>\n
RRV officers assessed the road which services the town\u2019s shops, finding a zebra crossing with flashing lights or pedestrian-operated traffic lights were not required considering the traffic and pedestrian count.<\/p>\n
RRV Acting South Western Director, Emma Miller-Olsen said the installation of a zebra crossing or pedestrian-operated lights is not the preferred solution.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll continue to monitor this location to see if any further safety improvements are needed,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Debbie Chapman lives and trades on Brooke Street. She said Smythesdale needs a crossing, but traffic also needs to be slowed to 40 or 50km\/h.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve witnessed so many accidents here, it\u2019s terrible. It\u2019s just lucky there hasn\u2019t been a cement truck or semi-trailer involved.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have elderly people in town and sometimes people have to stop to help them across the road,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSadly, I think it would take a fatality for them to actually do something about it, and that will happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Chapman said assessment should go beyond counting traffic.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything\u2019s congested in the one area. You\u2019ve got the entrance to the supermarket, shops opposite, and an island where cars come out.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything\u2019s in the one spot, and you\u2019ve also got a bend that comes around if you\u2019re coming from Scarsdale, so there\u2019s a blind spot before you actually hit the busy area of people and cars,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Member for Buninyong, Michaela Settle has heard community concerns.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will continue working with Regional Roads Victoria and Smythesdale residents to determine what safety improvements might be needed,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MINIMUM standards have not been met on Smythesdale\u2019s Brooke Street to install a pedestrian crossing, according to Regional Roads Victoria. RRV officers assessed the road which services the town\u2019s shops, finding a zebra crossing with flashing lights or pedestrian-operated traffic lights were not required considering the traffic and pedestrian count. RRV Acting South Western Director, […]<\/p>\n