Presented by Robert Clark MP		www.robertclark.net

Liberals commit to Middleborough Road traffic lights

News Release - Wednesday, 11 October 2006

A Liberal Government will install traffic lights in Middleborough Road, Box Hill North, at the intersection with Heathfield Rise and Katrina Street, Shadow Minister for Transport, Terry Mulder, said today.

As well, the Liberals would improve the safety of the Middleborough Road and Springfield Road intersection by installing a right turn arrow for vehicles turning south from Springfield Road.

Joined by State MP for Box Hill, Robert Clark, and Liberal candidate for Mitcham, Philip Daw, at an inspection of the intersection, Mr Mulder said these traffic lights would improve safety and traffic flow for motorists, buses and pedestrians.

"Middleborough Road has very heavy traffic during peak periods, often making it difficult and dangerous for local residents trying to turn onto or cross Middleborough Road," Mr Mulder said.

"It can be a serious hazard for buses trying to cross Middleborough Road between Heathfield Rise and Katrina Street.

"These problems are set to get worse when the Middleborough Road grade separation with the railway line is completed, leading to even more traffic on Middleborough Road."

Mr Mulder said a Liberal Government would provide $300,000 for the Heathfield Rise and Katrina Street traffic signals, and $50,000 to install the right turn arrow at Springfield Road.

Member for Box Hill, Robert Clark, said that it was vital that the traffic lights be upgraded now, rather than forcing Box Hill North and Blackburn North residents to wait years before anything is done.

"VicRoads needs to do some forward thinking, not only about current needs, but about the future needs that are likely to arise, particularly with the rail grade separation opening next year," Mr Clark said.

"The current set-up, where vehicles on Heathfield Rise or Katrina Street trigger the pedestrian lights to the south, is already inadequate, because it doesn't stop vehicles travelling down from the north, often at high speed, before they reach the intersection.

"Those pedestrian lights should be replaced with a fully signallised intersection that allows enough time for buses and local motorists to cross or turn from Heathfield Rise or Katrina Street. Signal timing should be co-ordinated with the Springfield Road lights."

Liberal candidate for Mitcham, Philip Daw, said many local residents had raised with him their concerns about the need for traffic lights when he was door-knocking homes in the local area.

"Residents tell me they often fear for their safety when trying to make turns out of Katrina Street with the current arrangements. I have been asked time and time again to do whatever I could to have proper traffic lights installed."

Mr Clark said that the right hand turn arrow at the Springfield Road lights would also be an important safety improvement.

"Motorists turning right into Middleborough Road to travel south are on a rising slope and have their view of oncoming traffic blocked by vehicles turning right from the opposite direction," he said.

"The problem is bad enough now. It will get even worse if VicRoads alters the signal times in future to give greater priority to an increasing volume of Middleborough Road traffic once the rail crossing separation is opened."