An independent safety audit has recommended an additional traffic island to slow traffic and change traffic movement at the Breen Ave/Cooma Rd and Bolitho Rd intersection in Kyabram.
Concerns were raised by the community and in response, Campaspe Shire Council engaged an independent safety audit that has recommended a third traffic island for the intersection to help manage traffic movement, particularly vehicles and trucks driving down the wrong side of the road through the intersection.
The third island will be installed on the east side of Cooma Rd, just prior to the intersection, and will now form part of the work being carried out on the final instalment of the Breen Ave shared user path.
"It's beyond belief that people are choosing to drive on the wrong side of the road," Acting Director Infrastructure Ben Van Zeyl said.
"We know there have been changes to that intersection that force people to slow down but they have been made for a reason. With the Breen Ave shared user path soon to be completed, there will be a lot more pedestrians crossing this intersection, and it is imperative that people slow down and abide by the road rules," Mr Van Zeyl said.
Mr Van Zeyl said the express goal of changes to the intersection were for the safety of both pedestrians and vehicles.
"We've had staff and contractors standing to the side of that intersection, in hi-vis gear, and there has been little to no care for the safety of contractors or staff in these instances from drivers electing to drive on the wrong side of the road through that intersection. When the Breen Ave path is completed, families, children and members of the public are going to be crossing at that intersection and everyone needs to be safe," he said.
In addition to the third traffic island, yellow holding rails with reflectors will be installed at the entrance and exit to the shared user path, and will include signage that meets Austroads Standards, instructing pedestrians to give way.
Council is also exploring the inclusion of additional reflectors and lighting of this intersection as a potential additional action, and the positioning of the existing keep left sign is to be relocated.
Mr Van Zeyl said both pedestrians and vehicle users need to be aware of the risks and changed conditions.
