Politicians and residents are turning to the state government for updates on safety improvements to a notorious intersection in Rockbank, with a state and federal MP penning a joint letter.
Residents have been calling for safety improvements – especially traffic lights – at the on and off ramps to the Western Highway on Leakes Road in Rockbank.
Last week, Kororoit MP Luba Grigorovitch and Gorton MP Alice Jordan-Baird wrote to the state government seeking updates on the $1 billion Western Freeway upgrade – especially the Leakes Road intersection at Rockbank.
According to the MPs, when commuters travelling west take the Leakes Road exit, they approach a stop sign and find it difficult to turn onto the road, creating a backlog of traffic that can extend back to the freeway.
The letter also stated that the rapid population increase of the western growth corridor is placing increasing pressure on the Western Freeway and the surrounding road network.
In their letter, the MPs requested an update on the project along with questioning what short-term measures could improve safety while the project progresses.
Ms Jordan-Baird said the local community needs reassurance that the Western Freeway upgrade is progressing in line with this population growth.
“The Leakes Road intersection requires attention to ensure road users are safe. We are seeking clarity on the project and whether interim measures can be introduced,” she said.
Ms Grigorovitch said the freeway is vital to the region’s liveability and economic future.
“Residents of Melbourne’s west want safety improvements along this critical thoroughfare and I look forward to an update on how we will progress these measures,” she said.
LeadWest chair, Melton councillor Phillip Zada, said he is hoping the joint letter will “actually get us an answer”.
“Everyone wants to have the plan, we can have timelines, and we can set expectations for our residents in the west – because the Western is one of the biggest highway pieces that we’ve got, and we just want to see it delivered, or at least know what’s coming and when it’s coming,” he said.
Community advocacy group Leakes Needs Lights has long called for temporary traffic lights as an interim safety measure at the intersection.
Founder Donna Southern said when the group has approached the Department of Transport and Planning in the past, the proposal was rejected for various reasons – one being that the department did not want to install temporary traffic lights where work is not being scheduled.
“We’ve crossed that barrier now, they’re claiming they are going to schedule work on the Western Freeway, yet they’re still knocking us back on the temporary lights and claiming to be working … on an alternative solution,” Ms Southern said.
“We feel like our pleas are falling on deaf ears – and, of course, we’re concerned that there might be a fatality, because it’s just so dangerous.”
A state government spokesperson said the government is performing detailed planning work to prepare for construction of the Western Freeway Upgrade.
“We will continue to work with the federal government to deliver this important upgrade, with around 86,000 vehicles using the stretch between Melton and Caroline Springs every day,” the spokesperson said.
“We’re currently refining design options, identifying the highest priority areas of the freeway to be upgraded and determining how the upgrade could be staged for construction.”
Star Weekly understands the government is exploring interim safety treatment options such as speed reductions, signage changes, and working with council and Victoria Police on enforcement at the Leakes Road intersection.
