OCTOBER 17, 2017 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + PROPERTY GUIDE
Let there be lights? By Serena Seyfort For 166 years, Gisborne residents have embraced the semi-rural nature of their town. Valued for its village feel and open spaces, locals have fought against fast-food franchises and apartment-style housing in a bid to retain the town’s country vibe. Now the prospect of traffic lights in the town is fuelling concern about its evolving character. Due to safety concerns, VicRoads is planning to install lights at the intersection of Saunders and Station roads as part of an $8-$9 million upgrade it hopes will be funded in next year’s state budget. Former councillor and police sergeant John Letchford is one of those fighting against traffic lights being installed in Gisborne. Mr Letchford, who has taken courses in traffic management and analysis, agrees work is needed to improve safety at the intersection, particularly with the stream of trucks that use it daily. “That intersection does need treatment – but not traffic lights,” he said. The Gisborne resident said he had been observing the intersection at different times of the day and had seen barely any pedestrians. He noticed traffic surges only during evening peak. He said he wanted to see the community involved in the decision to install traffic lights. “There should be more community consultation on the alternatives,” he said. “We need an active and engaged community. Do they want to be part of suburbia?” Other residents also resisted the idea of traffic lights in a Facebook group. “Please, please, please don’t allow traffic lights in our beautiful little town!” one resident wrote. “Gisborne is our little getaway from the city and suburbia.” Residents have called for an alternative to the John Letchford, at the intersection of Station and Saunders roads, is against the traffic light plan. (Marco De Luca) lights, such as a roundabout. “We don’t need traffic lights … put a The plan also proposes a right-turn lane on “This is based on projected figures by Gisborne Roads and Transport Group roundabout in,” one local posted on Facebook. chairman Russell Mowatt said the group VicRoads during the previous consultation Station Road and left-turn slip lanes. However, many residents say traffic lights looked forward to the state government process for the duplication of Station Road.” Traffic lights have already penetrated the will allay safety concerns, accepting they were funding the project in the next 2018-19 budget. Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas said Macedon Ranges in Kyneton and Woodend. necessary to deal with increasing traffic. From 2006-16, the estimated number “Any investment to a design solution at this she would push to make the VicRoads plan a “I mourn the country town we were, but intersection will address a lot of safety issues reality. of Gisborne residents increased 35.9 per with the traffic load now, I agree our suburb and traffic management as a result of the “Station Road is a heavy vehicle route, cent, from 9823 to 13,345, according to the needs lights at this place,” a Facebook user growth in New Gisborne,” Mr Mowatt said. and with the local primary school, early Australian Bureau of Statistics. commented. Independent demographic company .id “Over the next two to five years there will be learning centre and aged-care facility nearby, “I’m all for traffic lights at that intersection,” approximately 24,000 vehicle movements a day traffic lights will provide a safer crossing for estimates the population will soar to 20,379 said another. residents by 2036. pedestrians,” she said. on Station Road.
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