Media Release: $80,000 SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS FOR BURWOOD RD BLACKSPOT

FROM THE MINISTER FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT

DATE: Tuesday, December 7, 2004

$80,000 SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS FOR BURWOOD RD BLACKSPOT

Road Safety in Hawthorn East received a boost today with the Minister for Transport, Peter Batchelor, announcing funding to eliminate a local blackspot.

Mr Batchelor said the Bracks Government had committed $80,000 to improve safety and install pedestrian signals at the intersection of Burwood Road, Camberwell Road and Albert Street.

Mr Batchelor said the improvements aimed to reduce the incidence and severity of crashes at the site.

“There have been seven casualty crashes at this intersection in the past five years, including two pedestrians who were injured in separate incidents,” Mr Batchelor said.

“The $80,000 will be used to install pedestrian signals at the crossing, complete with audio tactile signals and raised tiles on the surface of the footpath to assist the visually impaired and people with other disabilities.

“To further improve safety, lane arrows will also be painted on Burwood Road and warning signs installed on the traffic island to enable motorists to better judge the bend in the road ahead.”

Mr Batchelor thanked the Boroondara City Council and the community for bringing this trouble spot to the Government's attention.

“Councils and local communities have played a key role in the success of this program by nominating blackspot locations for improvement.

“We have listened to the concerns of the local council and the community and are getting on with the job of delivering improved road safety for Victoria.

“The $240 million Statewide Blackspot Program is the biggest and most successful program ever undertaken by a government in Australia. Since the program commenced in 2000, funding has been allocated to 1100 safety projects.”

Mr Batchelor said the Bracks Government would not cease in its fight to reduce death and injury caused by crashes on Victorian roads.

The Statewide Blackspot Program is a key initiative of the Government's arrive alive! road safety strategy, which aims to reduce the State's road toll by 20 per cent by 2007.

Media enquiries:
Kerilyn Wyatt, VicRoads Metropolitan South East: 9881 8806