Residents are calling for an ‘immediate solution’ to safety concerns relating to Vineyard Road, as the state government is in the early stages of investigating a speed reduction on the road.
As reported by Star Weekly, The Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) is in the early stages of planning for safer speed limits on Vineyard Road, which connects Sunbury and Diggers Rest, with residents welcoming the news but calling for further safety improvements.
In response to this news, Hume mayor Jarrod Bell published a statement on Facebook, including a pledge to work alongside a selection of other Hume and Melton councillors to push for a “long-term fix”.
“As an SES volunteer, I’ve responded to many serious crashes along Vineyard Road. I know this road and while speed reductions are well-intended, they won’t solve the real safety issues,” Cr Bell said.
“Frustrated drivers will ignore them, and the risks remain,” he said.
“What we need is a clear plan and committed funding for the full duplication to Plumpton Road, including the freeway overpass. That’s the real solution.”
Diggers Rest resident David O’Connor said that he agrees this would be the real solution, but “whether the state can afford the real solution is another thing”.
“An immediate solution is to address the safety concerns at Eucalyptus Drive and Hero Street before there’s a … tragic incident,” Mr O’Connor said.
He would like to see a proper survey of the road undertaken for a future upgrade program.
“My advocacy supports any safety measures – and is not primarily focused on speed limit reductions, as some people may believe,” he said.
“I’m not an engineer – I’m not being paid the big bucks to come up with the solutions. I leave that for those that are.”
A Department of Transport and Planning spokesperson said that when setting speed limits, “we need to carefully balance keeping everyone safe and keeping people moving”.
“It’s important for all motorists to share the road responsibly, follow the speed limit and pay extra attention around pedestrians and other road users,” the spokesperson said.
Star Weekly understands potential upgrades to Vineyard Road will be considered as part of the department’s future network planning.
