No safety actions taken on Heidelberg-Kinglake Road

There is no plan by the Andrews Labor Government for safety improvements to be undertaken on the Heidelberg-Kinglake Road from Kinglake to St Andrews, only future monitoring of the road.

State Liberal Member for Eildon, Cindy McLeish recently wrote to the Minister for Roads expressing the urgent need for safety improvements to prevent any more fatalities or accidents along the treacherous road.

Ms McLeish said, “The Minister for Roads has completely overlooked the dangers and perils of the Heidelberg-Kinglake Road.”

“The sheer cliff face and drop off, the narrowness of the road, the blind corners and protruding trees all need attention. There are many actions that can be taken to improve the roads safety for drivers and cyclists.

“I have suggested the Minister consider the inclusion of concrete or Armco barriers to prevent vehicles from running off the narrow road or hitting a tree.”

In the Minister’s response, he said the road is regularly assessed for hazards and will continue to be monitored to identify possible improvements.

Ms McLeish continues, “If the road really was properly assessed as the Minister said, there would be no hesitation to action the required safety measures that need to be made.”

“We do not want any more fatal accidents and close calls. The road needs to be improved now. It can not afford to be put off any longer,” Ms McLeish concludes.

Murrindindi Shire Councillor Ilona Gerencser knows the dangers of this road all too well and knows people’s lives are at stake.

Cr Gerencser said, “Murrindindi Shire has called for the Minister to take action to make this road safer.”

“I drive this road every single day to and from work and the number of cars that are on this road is increasing.”

“The fact that we have no safely barriers, we have a multitude of blind corners and we still have trucks going up and down this road, means were going to have more deaths. I believe it is time the Minister acted, or he is going to have blood on his hands,” Cr Gerencser concludes.