Mount Evelyn
Tuesday, 13 February, 2024
Social fabric broken after Kilsyth Pool closure
15 year anniversary of Black Saturday
Mooroolbark’s street art life giving
See real estate liftout inside
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A Star News Group Publication
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The Melba Avenue and Cave Hill Road intersection at the level crossing has been closed permanently with works to build a pedestrian underpass. 385342
Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
Caving to chaos By Mikayla van Loon For anyone driving around Lilydale during peak times, it’s not hard to notice the increased traffic and poor movement throughout the main sections of town. The onflow of the Cave Hill Road and Melba Avenue closure at the level crossing on 24 January has already caused havoc for many drivers and has only confirmed initial worries for emergency responders. Lilydale CFA captain Warren Davis said the closure has forced Hutchinson, John and Har-
dy Street to bear the brunt, as well as Maroondah Highway. “Not too many people realise if, for example, there was a major incident at the intersection of Hutchison Street and John Street, at those traffic lights the Bunnings, if there was a major incident there being a power pole, tree or power lines, or a motor vehicle accident, comes down and blocks the road, nobody can get out of that area,” he said. “That’s the shopping centre, no one will be able to get in there or leave. The university. Now at the rear of the university, you’ve
got Scope, which has intellectually challenged adults in there. You’ve then got all of the factories, you’ve got the power company and then you’ve got the school. “You’re looking at thousands of people who could be stuck in that area there because there’s only one road in one road out and that’s dangerous. That’s very, very dangerous.” Mr Davis said all it would take is a minor accident during the school peak to bring the main roads around Lilydale to a standstill. Commenters on social media have also voiced concerns about the congestion.
“It’s ridiculous, the traffic is already so congested and this is going to make it even worse,” one person said. “Wow that road can be a nightmare at school time already,” another person added. Another person asked about the ability to make a u-turn near Lilydale High School’s Melba Avenue entrance. It was advised that anyone dropping students at school should use the Hutchinson Street basketball stadium entrance. Continued page 3
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