A series of vehicle collisions and near misses at the corner of Lithgow and Patterson streets in Beveridge has prompted Mitchell Shire Council to investigate options for bolstering road safety at the intersection.
A Beveridge resident submitted a letter with 272 community signatures to council expressing concern about the safety of the intersection.
The four-way intersection is unsignalised, with motorists on Lithgow Street given right of way through the intersection and motorists on Patterson Street required to give way.
While the intersection meets all statutory requirements and is not considered inherently unsafe by the State Government’s Department of Transport, residents have reported many instances of drivers travelling along Patterson Street failing to give way.
The issue was first raised at a September council meeting, with officers last month recommending interim measures including the installation of stop signs on Patterson Street while council investigates a long-term solution that could include the installation of traffic lights.
Cr Bill Chisholm said both the short and long-term solutions would cost council, but that improvements to motorist safety would be worth the investment.
“The interim measures alone, for the knowledge of the ratepayers, are $11,440 for stop signage, but long-term when we’re looking at a signalised intersection, at current costs we’re looking at something like $5 million or north of that,” he said.
“These things cost council, and as councillors you’ve got to weigh them up.
“That intersection is dangerous and we’ve got to do all we can to alleviate the threat there. Hopefully this will make that intersection a lot safer.”
Council officers noted the State Government would be required to upgrade the intersection as part of a planned future Hume Freeway interchange at Camerons Lane, but with no timeframe set for the project, recommended council consider funding the design of a signalised intersection itself.
Cr Rhonda Sanderson said the projected $5 million cost of signalising the intersection could be funded largely through collections from developers in the rapidly growing Beveridge area.
“Council itself is not delegated to install stop signs, but we have discussed the proposal and sought approval from the Department of Transport,” she said.
“In the long-term a signalised intersection design will be put forward for consideration in future budgets under our annual capital works program and it will be funded utilising developer reserve funds.
“This intersection has been a concern for residents and people who drive through for some time.”
Cr David Lowe commended council staff for treating the intersection as a matter of priority.
“There have been a number of incidents at this intersection and both councillors and council staff have been contacted by members of the local community,” he said.
“Hopefully the interim changes will make it safer and protect the community.”
