Presented by Robert Clark MP		www.robertclark.net

Right turn arrow at last for Elgar and Canterbury Roads

News Release - Friday, 16 February 2007

After many years of struggle to get the State government to act, an additional right hand turn arrow will at last be installed at the corner of Elgar and Canterbury Roads, bringing about a long awaited improvement to safety.

The arrow will be for traffic travelling north along Elgar Road and making a right hand turn eastwards into Canterbury Road.

This arrow was one of several key road and safety improvements needed in the Box Hill electorate which I highlighted during last year's election campaign, and which the Liberal Party committed to carry out if elected to government.

It has been dangerous for vehicles making the right hand turn because of the heavy stream of oncoming traffic travelling in the opposite direction south along Elgar Road, with the view of those vehicles often obscured by other vehicles waiting to make a right turn westwards into Canterbury Road.

A contract has now been let by VicRoads for the right turn arrow and associated road works, and hopefully work will soon get underway.

I first raised the need for this arrow with the then Minister for Transport, Peter Batchelor, in mid 2004. This followed several unsuccessful applications by Whitehorse Council over the previous three years seeking Accident Blackspot funding.

The Minister's office replied claiming the project had been held up while VicRoads waited for Whitehorse Council to review the Council's proposals. However, the Council pointed out that from 1 July 2004, State Government changes to the law had given VicRoads complete responsibility for the intersection.

I wrote again to the Minister and received a reply in April 2005 confirming the intersection was VicRoads' responsibility and saying VicRoads was considering various options and the resulting proposal would be considered by the Government for possible future funding.

After twice writing again to the Minister's office to follow up on progress, I received a further letter in May 2006 saying VicRoads had completed its investigations and a right turn arrow formed part of a proposal which would be considered by the Government for possible future funding.

I am very pleased this turn arrow will at last be installed. It is very regrettable that State government delay and attempted buck-passing has meant that this important safety improvement has taken so long to go ahead.