Grahamvale residents deserving of safer roads

Independent Member for Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed says the safety of drivers using Grahamvale Rd must be a priority for the Victorian Government.

Ms Sheed said several intersections along the Shepparton Alternate Road had been serious danger hot-spots for too long and has called on the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Luke Donnellan, to outline what steps the Government was taking to improve safety.

Ms Sheed said the intersections of Grahamvale Rd with Knights Rd and Ford Rd were particularly problematic, with passenger vehicles navigating large trucks travelling at high speed.

“This has been an issue for a long time and it should not be left unaddressed any longer,” Ms Sheed said.

“We’re talking about a narrow road, bordered on one side by railway tracks and on the other by an irrigation channel. We’re sending B-Double trucks along there as part of the Shepparton Alternate Route, but there’s simply not enough room for cars and trucks to coexist safely.

“Constituents have been raising their concerns about the intersections along this stretch of road for decades, my National Party predecessors have spoken of it in Parliament as long ago as 1994, yet little has been done.”

Ms Sheed said while she welcomed the Government’s interest in investing in road upgrades, she said current proposals would not fix the extent of issues on Grahamvale Rd.

“There’s a proposal for a roundabout at Ford Rd which would do wonders for that intersection, but those works won’t improve the safety at Knights Rd or Northey Rd, nor safeguard drivers from the existing risk while we wait for construction to begin,” Ms Sheed said.

“I strongly believe we need an interim measure to ensure the people of Shepparton District can travel safely to and from their homes.”

Ms Sheed said she urged the community to participate in the public consultation on the proposed upgrades to ensure their views were heard.

Minister Donnellan has 28 days to respond to Ms Sheed’s constituency question.

 

ENDS

Media contact

Riahn Smith 0419 138 978│riahn.smith@parliament.vic.gov.au

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