Petition to address community concern

RESIDENTS are being urged to sign a petition calling for the reinstatement of right-hand turns at the notorious Queens Road intersection in Pearcedale.
South Eastern Province MP Ron Bowden said he was circulating the petition in response to community anger over VicRoads’ changes to the Queens Road and Western Port Highway intersection in January.
Mr Bowden said there was strong community resentment over the banning of right-hand turns at the intersection.
“VicRoads’ current solution is unacceptable and nothing more than a quick fix solution to a more complex issue,” he said.
“In fact, if anything, VicRoads’ hasty changes have made safety at the intersection considerably worse.”
Mr Bowden called on VicRoads to reintroduce right-hand turns as well as rebuilding the entire Queens Road intersection.
He said the petition would send a clear message to VicRoads and the State Government that local motorists were clearly annoyed about the no right-hand turn rule and that urgent funding was needed to fix the dangerous intersection.
“I have already raised this matter in State Parliament and will do so again,” Mr Bowden said. “I will continue to closely monitor this intersection and push for vital State Government assistance to address safety issues at Queens Road.”
All signed petitions will be presented to State Parliament and VicRoads, he said.
VicRoads regional manager metropolitan south east Steve Brown said following thorough consultation with local council and police, the banning of right-hand turns was considered the most appropriate safety measure.
“It was decided to improve safety by temporarily banning right turns into and out of Queens Road at this location,” he said.
“Works to ban these movements have recently been completed.
“These include the installation of signs, line marking and a concrete island to physically restrict the movement of traffic.”
Mr Brown said VicRoads regretted any inconvenience caused to motorists, and said the right-hand turns may be reinstated in the future.
“VicRoads is currently developing a proposal for an ultimate treatment to provide a safe right-turn facility, which will address the safety issues at this intersection,” he said.
“This proposal will be submitted to the Government for consideration in a future program.”
Anyone wanting to obtain a copy of Mr Bowden’s petition can contact his office on 5977 5600.
– Alison Noonan