An opposition MP is calling for the state government to prioritise and expedite upgrades to the intersection of Urquhart Street and High Street in Woodend.
Northern Victoria MP Wendy Lovell spoke in parliament on Wednesday, February 5, calling for the government to immediately release the design plans for consultation and commit to funding the works.
Ms Lovell said the intersection poses a “serious safety risk to drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians,” has a “confusing layout with service lanes on High Street merging into the junction,” and that “traffic congestion has greatly increased since a large supermarket opened across from the intersection in 2018, and the police report that dangerous near-misses at the intersection are increasing”.
“The intersection of Urquhart Street and High Street is well-known to be a dangerous intersection … the government has begun work on designing the new intersection, but has been too slow to start community consultation,” Ms Lovell said.
“The minister for roads and road safety must expedite the intersection upgrade by immediately releasing the design plans for consultation, and committing to fund the works.”
As reported by Star Weekly, a notice of motion raised by Macedon Ranges councillor Janet Pearce at the December 18 council meeting called for council to request an urgent written response on when a recommendation for improvements to the intersection will be made available for community feedback.
In a previous reply to Star Weekly, a Department of Transport and Planning spokesperson said the department was working with council on options for a safety upgrade at the intersection.
Star Weekly understands that the final plans will be released to the public this year.
The minister for roads and road safety and the Department of Transport and Planning were contacted for a comment.
