Priority intersections: ‘Every day we see near misses’

RELATED: Greater Bendigo’s priority one intersections

Every day is a ‘nightmare’ navigating the Jobs Gully Road and Averys Road intersection, says one nearby resident.

“Every day we see near misses there and it is pretty scary,” Maree Ryan said.

“No one knows whether they should indicate or not.”

The Jobs Gully Road resident said each day it was guesswork trying to figure out what other drivers were doing, even if they did indicate.

“I know lots of people complain about that intersection.”

Ms Ryan’s comments come after the City of Greater Bendigo said the intersection was one of seven priority spots council was monitoring.

City of Greater Bendigo engineering and public space manager Brett Martini said a roundabout was one option the council was considering to manage the increase in traffic in the area.

“The challenge there is we have an offset intersection and, with an increase in traffic numbers from Jackass Flat and Epsom areas, that is generating more near misses and confusion from the offset intersection,” he said.

It is welcome news to Ms Ryan who says a roundabout would prevent both the confusion at the offset intersection and hooning in the area.

“We don’t let our children out the front door ever,” she said, adding that it was not uncommon to see cars doing well above the speed limit on the straight stretch of road.

“[A roundabout is] probably really the only solution there.”

Jenny Collihole also commutes through the intersection daily and said is was so dangerous, especially when she was travelling home at night. 

“Coming from Jobs Gully and then turning right into Averys, it's a gamble,” she said. 

“I'm careful when I turn but then the people behind me are blasting me with their horns. It's so difficult. 

“In all honesty, I just try to get home safe and in one piece and not get injured.”

The seven intersections that feature on the council’s priority list are:

In an online poll on the Bendigo Advertiser website, more than 20 per cent of people said the Epsom-Barnadown Road and Axedale-Goornong Road intersection at Barnadown should be council's number one priority.

Goornong CFA member Mat Read called for an urgent upgrade of the intersection in March after a number of crashes at the site.

“The Epsom-Barnadown intersection is the only one in council’s priority list with 100km/h speed limits,” he said this week.

“It therefore has a significantly higher risk of serious injuries in the result of an accident, as such it should be their top priority.”

Mr Martini said a number of works had recently been carried out at the intersection, including line-marking and highlighting signage on approach.

He said the council would hold future discussions with the CFA and at this stage preparatory work for the intersection was being done for the 2018-19 budget.

He said possible upgrades would likely put bends in the road at the approach to the stop sign, forcing vehicles to slow down.

Goornong resident Ben Matthews agreed it should be council’s top priority saying a redesign of the intersection would help alleviate issues.

“That intersection is on a little bit of an angle so if people aren’t looking over their shoulder far enough they can’t see what’s coming,” he said.

“Ultimately you change the intersection and alter the dynamic of it and it would be the best solution.”

The Goornong CFA member has seen a number of crashes in the area and said people weren’t concentrating on driving. 

“People just don’t pay attention.”

Strathfieldsaye resident Marg McDonald echoed Mr Matthews’ comments saying drivers needed to take more responsibility.

“People’s driving habits have to be reviewed rather than just change the roads,” she said. 

“You’ve really just got to stop and slow down and look.”

Ms McDonald was surprised to see the Barnadown intersection was a council priority but said visibility needed to improve with more vegetation removal and increased signage.

Other intersections to attract a high proportion of votes in the online poll were the Golden Square intersection (15 per cent) and the Strathfieldsaye intersection (14 per cent).

Almost 100 people said a different intersection altogether should be at the top of the council's priority list.

Bendigo Advertiser readers took to Facebook on Monday to comment on what they thought were problem intersections in the region.

Tayla Rogasch said the intersection of Thistle, Houston and Adam streets in Quarry Hill would benefit from a roundabout.

“People aren't aware of the road rules for the intersection and don't drive accordingly, which creates accidents,” she said.

“Also people driving too fast down Houston Street, and can't stop in time at the give way drive straight through and end up in my in-laws’ front yard!”

Mrs Rogasch said at least three cars had gone through their fence.

“All of these crashes have happened right on busy peak times. It gets so hectic at that intersection!”

Mr Martini encouraged people to raise any concerns they had with intersections to the City of Greater Bendigo.

Have your say: comment below, email ashley.fritsch@fairfaxmedia.com.au or find The Bendigo Advertiser on Facebook.