Diggers Rest residents are again calling for safety upgrades to Vineyard Road and claim the location of an early learning centre adjacent to the road is a “tragedy waiting to happen”.
As reported by Star Weekly, in 2018 VicRoads ruled out installing safety barriers along a stretch of Vineyard Road adjacent to the Diggers Rest Early Learning Centre.
Speaking to Star Weekly last week, resident Kate Perkins said the centre “backs straight onto Vineyard Road.
A parent of a daughter who attends the centre, she said she witnesses cars making illegal right turns from Eucalyptus Road across the solid white line every single day and has seen near-misses with trucks causing them to swerve in the direction of the centre’s play area wall.
“I honestly wait for a phone call to hear that something has happened … it is … a tragedy waiting to happen.”
Ms Perkins said that she would like to see a speed limit reduction on Vineyard Road along with safety bollards installed adjacent to the early learning centre.
She said that after contacting Transport Victoria, she was told that under current guidelines, the road should remain at 80km/h speed limit and that bollards could increase the hazard in the event of an accident.
Another neighbouring resident Gemma Borchard said she has attended accidents on this section of road as a first aid officer until an ambulance arrives.
Y Whittlesea chief executive Michele Rowse said the organisation raised the issue with VicRoads several years ago and was advised a lateral ditch served as protection.
She said the centre has metal fencing at parts of the site.
A Melton spokesperson said the council has shared resident concerns with the state government.
A Department of Transport and Planning spokesperson said that everybody has a role to play in ensuring our roads are safe, and encouraged all drivers to drive to conditions and obey all signage
Star Weekly understands there are currently no plans for further changes to Vineyard Road but the government will consider possible upgrades in future.
