Elmore is unlikely to get a permanent pedestrian crossing in the “short term”, despite hundreds of residents signing a petition calling for improved safety on the town’s main street.
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Residents are concerned about pedestrian safety on the Northern Highway, which separates the town’s shops from its post office, public toilets and railway station.
More than 450 people have signed the most recent petition asking for a zebra crossing and flashing lights to be installed.
VicRoads regional director Mal Kersting said VicRoads had been made aware of concerns but a new crossing was not on its list of immediate priorities.
“VicRoads will continue to consider the proposal for submission to future programs; however, is unlikely to be funded in the short term,” he said.
“In the meantime VicRoads will continue to monitor the safety and operation of the existing crossing point.”
Mr Kersting said VicRoads had to prioritise projects and no one had reported being injured while crossing the Northern Highway at Elmore in the past five years.
“VicRoads receives many requests for pedestrian projects and all are considered and prioritised for potential funding based on the risk to pedestrians crossing the road,” he said.
“These include: pedestrian volumes, types of vehicles using the road and the existing speed limit at the location.”
The town has a crossing point near its post office, but it does not offer right of way for pedestrians.
City of Greater Bendigo Councillor James Williams said he believed a permanent crossing would slow traffic in the area, allowing people to cross more safely.
“A lot of trucks use that route and it’s a very busy spot, with a lot of elderly people trying to access the post office and railway station.
“There’s been a couple of near misses and I understand people’s angst.”
Cr Williams said he had met concerned residents in Elmore yesterday and would be presenting their petition to the council at its next meeting.
But he said it was not within the council’s power to install a crossing.
“We can just attempt to raise the issue with state government and get it on the list of priorities,” he said.