Friday
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The Department of Transport says it is continuing to look at ways to improve the safety of a notorious Epsom intersection.
Loddon Mallee department director Melanie Hotton said any accident was one too many and the department's thoughts were with the injured children and their families.
"The Department of Transport is continuing to look at ways to improve safety at this junction, both short and long-term," Ms Hotton said.
"We will also be meeting with representatives of the school next week to further discuss their concerns."
Regional Roads Victoria is understood to be working with Victoria Police to understand the circumstances behind the crash.
Traffic sequencing at the intersection has been reviewed in the past 12 months to improve safety and traffic flow.
It is understood new sequencing will be implemented as soon as new traffic signal sequencing software can be installed.
5.30pm
"What does it take for someone to spend some money on this intersection and make it safe for the children who use it?" the president of the Epsom Primary School council says after a crash this morning.
Scott Jefferis said the school council had been raising concerns about the Midland Highway and Howard Street intersection with the City of Greater Bendigo and the state roads authority for some years.
There are plans to meet again, given the crash.
Mr Jefferis said state roads authority had acknowledged the intersection was in need of an upgrade. But no timeline had been set for the works, and the works had not been budgeted.
"Anecdotally, there have been a lot of near misses," Mr Jefferis said.
He saw Thursday morning's crash, which involved two students who were heading to school. The children had been on foot.
Mr Jefferis believed it was time those responsible for the intersection did something to improve it.
"At the end of the day, we're worried about our kids and their safety," he said.
Regional Roads Victoria is responsible for the intersection and the Midland Highway. Howard Street is the responsibility of the city council.
The City of Greater Bendigo had identified the intersection as one of many requiring a future improvement, presentation and assets director Brian Westley said.
"Firstly, we were saddened to hear about this incident and our thoughts are with all those involved, especially the injured children," Mr Westley said.
He said the city worked closely with the Department of Transport to monitor the performance and safety of the entire transport system across Greater Bendigo, and met regularity with the department to plan and advocate for future upgrades.
"The city has been advised that the Department of Transport is currently considering potential improvements at this location," Mr Westley said.
Comment is being sought from the Department of Transport.
Earlier
TWO children have been taken to hospital with minor injuries following a crash at a notorious Epsom intersection.
The crash occurred at the intersection of the Midland Highway and Howard Street about 8.30am on Thursday.
Paramedics took two primary school-aged children to Bendigo Hospital in a stable condition with minor injuries.
Community members have been vocal about their concerns regarding the intersection, particularly since plans for a KFC were given the green light.
Business owners petitioned the council to improve the intersection before the KFC was built, fearing the fast food outlet would add to the area's traffic issues.
Howard Street has long been identified as one of the roads Bendigo residents were most concerned about, with a Bendigo Advertiser reader highlighting issues with the road near Epsom Primary School in 2019.
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