CONCERN about drivers ignoring speed restrictions on High Street has seen the installation of a speed alert message board on the median strip near the post office at Heathcote.<\/p>\n
The equipment will collect data on the number of vehicles passing through and how many exceed the speed limit.<\/p>\n
Resident, Paul Goujan, first raised the issue with authorities a year ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe council, VicRoads, the Department of Justice and VicRoads again but there was no response,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would often sit having coffee at Gaffney\u2019s or Fodders and see vehicles travelling at what I estimated as 60 or 70kph in the 50 zone, including B-doubles.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is one of the busiest parts in town and I feared there would be a serious accident if something wasn\u2019t done.\u201d<\/p>\n
Finally, with help from City of Greater Bendigo representative Cr Margaret O\u2019Rourke and municipal director of presentation and assets Brian Westley, Mr Goujan contacted the Department of Transport and Heavy Vehicles.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey were very helpful,\u201d he said. \u201cAs was Acting Sergeant Holly Lembke.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving them collect data is a great start and I hope something permanent will be done to help slow drivers down.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would suggest something like the rumble strips like those on the Lancefield-Tooborac Road where in meets the Northern Highway, to remind drivers to slow down.\u201d<\/p>\n
Acting Sergeant Holly Lembke agreed the data collecting was a start.<\/p>\n
\u201cDrivers slow down if they see our police vehicles parked on the median strip but we can\u2019t be there all the time,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Speed alert message board will remain facing south for a month, then will be turned north to collect data on vehicles coming the other way before being assessed for possible solutions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
CONCERN about drivers ignoring speed restrictions on High Street has seen the installation of a speed alert message board on the median strip near the post office at Heathcote. The equipment will collect data on the number of vehicles passing through and how many exceed the speed limit. Resident, Paul Goujan, first raised the issue […]<\/p>\n