NEWS DESK
Driver rage over rough road
Quilters wanted VICTORIAN Quilters will be at the Hastings Library meeting room 9.30am-2.30pm Friday 15 July, and 9.30am-2.30pm Thursday 21 July at Mornington Library on making quilts as part of the “very snuggly quilt program”. The program donates quilts to children and teens at the Royal Children’s Hospital who have life-threatening illnesses. Anyone is welcome to help out in a range of duties on the day - for an hour or for the entire session. This is an opportunity to try patchworking without having to buy equipment or fabric. No experience is necessary. Participants are invited to bring (but it is not required): sewing machine, scissors, pins; machine handbook and a quarter inch foot; extension lead and power board; and needles for hand sewing. Electrical items must have a safety test tag. Details: ourlibrary.mornpen.vic.gov. au/About_Us/Our_Libraries
Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au VICROADS was “totally aware” of the problems caused by the deteriorating surface of sections of FrankstonFlinders Rd, Somerville, a spokesman said Friday. By mid-week, loose stones had damaged five windscreens, chipped car panels and generated countless verbal complaints about the quality of the work in the relaid section between Hawkins Rd and Scott Grove. “Who knows how many windscreens have been hit by now,” VicRoads media advisor Jarryd Stokes said. A temporary 60kph speed limit is in place on the two kilometre section of road which was resurfaced in April, with the new seal deteriorating in the recent heavy rains. Mr Stokes said VicRoads staff had met affected residents on site as well as attending a mini-community meeting of neighbours at the home of an irate resident. Engineers explained the extent of the works, detailed what was expected to be achieved and when – and advised how out-of-pocket residents could claim reimbursements for damages to their cars by flying stones. He said motorists’ notices-of-claim – which can be downloaded from the VicRoads’ website – were “being addressed by our contractor”. Those claiming would have to prove they were travelling on the new section of road when the damages occurred. “We are trying to help,” Mr Stokes said. “We are sweeping the road three
Fire destroys house Under repair: Gordon Turner is angry at the state of the busy Frankston-Flinders Rd near the Baxter turnoff at Hawkins Rd. Picture: Gary Sissons
times a week to remove loose stones. “Unfortunately, we can’t complete the works until we have consistent dry weather. In spring, one day the weather might be dry but the next day wet. “We have to wait until it is dry and, hopefully, this may occur soon.” Tyabb resident Gordon Turner said he “nearly lost a windscreen” when stones flew onto his car, Thursday afternoon. “They redid the lines four or five weeks ago but all the stones are coming off,” he said.
“It’s criminal. They must have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on the works but the aggregate is not taking to the bitumen.” Wife Barbara: “It’s like they forgot to put the icing sugar in the icing.” Hastings MP Neale Burgess has written to the Minister for Roads Luke Donnellan confirming that motorists are “hopping mad” about the damage to their windscreens and “having to wait until the end of the year before the road is repaired again by VicRoads”. He said he had received reports of
some drivers abusing the 60kph limit “causing further irritation for motorists”. “VicRoads has erected a sign … saying repairs will not be completed until November/December, “Mr Burgess said. “Motorists have stated that they find this situation totally unacceptable and have asked for the Minister for Roads to urgently intervene and take control of this vital road issue.” Mr Burgess wants Mr Donnellan to review the November/December schedule to get the works done sooner.
A BURNING log rolling out of a fireplace is the likely cause of a house fire in Tootgarook, early Wednesday morning. The weatherboard house in Main St was “fully involved” when 25 career and volunteer fire fighters on eight appliances from Rye, Rosebud, Boneo, and breathing apparatus from Bayswater, arrived at 2.47am. Operations officer Andrew Turner, of Mornington CFA, said a lounge room fire box door may have been left open when the four adults living at the house went to bed. The four managed to escape the recently renovated house suffering only minor smoke inhalation.
Western Port News
12 July 2016
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