Cash to rub out dangerous Whittlesea blackspots

Blackspots in Mill Park and Thomastown are set to be made safer, thanks to more than $600,000 in federal government funding.

Whittlesea council has secured $660,000 from the government’s Black Spot Programme to improve Station Street in Thomastown and the roundabout at Betula and Roycroft avenues in Mill Park.

Station Street has been the site of 15 crashes, including two fatalities, over the past five years.

The council received $475,000 to install raised pavements and make intersection improvements along the road between Childs Road and Heyington Avenue.

About $185,000 will be spent modifying the roundabout and installing a pedestrian island at Betula and Roycroft avenues.

There have been four casualty crashes at the roundabout since 2012.

Mayor Ricky Kirkham said the council relied on funding from the state and federal governments to complete important projects.

“The blackspot funding program is a great opportunity for council to apply to have some of our problem areas fixed,” he said. “These two locations are the most dangerous on council’s local road network.”

The funding follows a commitment by the council to improve safety along Station Street by widening sections of the road between Messmate and David streets, installing raised pavement near Alexander Avenue and building 14 road humps to slow traffic down.

The projects will begin in August and are expected to be completed by March.