WHITTLESEA resident Hayley Skerry is leading an online movement to improve what she believes is a dangerous intersection.
She said the intersection of Plenty and Wallan roads and Laurel and Macmeikan streets would claim a life unless traffic lights were installed or other measures taken.
The situation would worsen once the McDonald’s restaurant opened in Plenty Road, near the Whittlesea Primary School, said Mrs Skerry (pictured). “I’ve avoided this intersection since I got my learner’s permit in 1998. There is confusion over who has right of way and there are no adequate turning lanes. The confusion and risk are worse at school drop-off and pick-up times as the traffic increases.
“There’s nowhere for pedestrians to cross except at the school crossing.”
Mrs Skerry has started an online petition at gopetition.com with 65 signatures so far and a Facebook campaign with almost 200 “likes”.
VicRoads spokesman Jay Francis said a survey this year showed the intersection had 300 cars and 60 pedestrians an hour during the school-hour peak.
“There were two casualty crashes in the five years to June, 2012, neither involving pedestrians.” He said the figures meant the intersection was not a high priority for traffic lights.
McDonald’s Australia spokeswoman Laura Keith said the store was expected to open in a few months. “As part of the development application process, McDonald’s commissioned an extensive traffic analysis and a road safety audit, which were conducted by independent traffic experts.”
