NEWS DESK
Roundabout a waste, says resident Steve Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au THE $1 million being spent on roundabouts on Wooralla Drive at the St Kilda and Brighton streets intersections, Mt Eliza, is a waste of money, a resident claims. “It seems like there’s no shortage of cash floating around if the shire is planning to build two unnecessary additional roundabouts,� Greg Dixon, of Tower Rd, said. “This mad obsession with destroying roads in the name of some imaginary Black Spot program will increase the danger of this particular section of a key arterial connecting road – particularly as the visibility in both directions is already hampered by an unkempt verge. “It will do nothing to enhance the safety of pedestrians or cyclists wishing to walk or ride along the road.� Dunkley MP Bruce Billson said the Black Spot-funded works would make the road safer. It comes with other grants for a roundabout on Humphries Rd at Walkers Rd ($619,000) and kerbs and bike lanes on Barkly St, Mornington, at Herbert St ($181,000). “Together with $74,000 from Frankston City, the $1.94 million allocation to Dunkley roads in this round will target intersections and sections of road with significant accident and injury history,� he said.
In brief Young drivers get the message on texting STUDENTS in Year 10 at Padua College, Mornington, have developed a slogan to appear on all L-plates handed out at VicRoads Keys Please sessions across south east Melbourne. “Drive now, text later� is aimed at a generation of tech savvy road users. “VicRoads was keen to give Padua College the opportunity to come up with the new L-plate slogan as they have hosted a Keys Please session every year since 2006,� VicRoads regional director metro south east Aidan McGann said. “Having a road safety reminder on L-plates encourages the supervising driver, as well as the learner, to think about the message.� The Keys Please program is a free 45-minute information session for students about how to use the learning-to-drive period, get 120 hours of practice up and become safe drivers. It is offered to all Victorian secondary schools. “The sessions are held at 165 schools, meaning about 20,000 Year 10 students will receive the L-plates with the new message,� he said. To organise a free Keys Please session call VicRoads, 13 11 71. The L-plates are sponsored by 13CABS.
Where’s the data? Mt Eliza resident Greg Dixon says the Wooralla Dr roundabout is a waste of money. Picture: Yanni
The Wooralla Drive and Humphries Rd roundabout projects are designed to reduce collisions involving motorists, cyclists and pedestrians due to excessive speed. The Barkly St project will ensure drivers recognise the Herbert St intersection through improved sight distance. “The chosen projects represent
works that deliver the highest benefit to the community for the funds involved,� Mr Billson said. “I have long been advocating for funding to improve safety on local roads, particularly in Mt Eliza where there has been some troubling motorist and pedestrian safety concerns – unfortunately involving fatalities.�
Mr Dixon asked: “Where’s the data supporting the argument for either or both, and when will we get our walking/cycling track? “They have obviously never used the road and I have never seen an accident there and I use the road every day. “I think so much more could have been done with the money.�
VIEW club meets NATUROPATH Jacqueline Howson will speak at the next luncheon meeting of the Mornington VIEW Club. It’s at Mornington Golf Club, 11am for a noon start, Friday 23 October. The not for profit social and friendship club supports the Smith Family. A two-course lunch will be served. New members and guests are welcome. For details and bookings call Pam, 59753846.
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Dinner: Friday – Saturday 787 Esplanade, Mornington | Phone: 5975 2055 | www.countinghouse.com.au Mornington News 6 October 2015
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