Cross words: Brad Moore with his petition at the intersection of Torquay Rd and Kidman Ave.
ERIN PEARSON
SCHOOL children are risking their lives crossing a busy intersection without traffic lights to reach nearby schools, according to a Belmont resident.
Brad Moore called for lights at the intersection of Torquay Rd and Kidman Ave as students returned to school this week.
Mr Moore said students had been risking their lives for years at the intersection instead of walking a “few hundred metres” south to a signaled crossing.
Mr Moore said he had petitioned State Government and council for action but authorities failed to recognise the safety threat.
He had seen cars either hit or narrowly miss “hundreds” of children at the intersection over the past decade.
“Buses drop kids off each school morning at the T-intersection, which is a long way from the traffic light crossing, meaning the kids just walk straight across unsafely. About 900 kids go to high school and primary school in the area and there are near misses every day.
“It’s only a matter of time before a child is hit and killed yet nobody wants to listen.”
VicRoads said installing a signalled crossing would cost about $900,000.
“However, the proposal does not currently obtain a sufficient rating to be considered under the Blackspot program.”
Acting regional director Scott Lawrence said VicRoads had monitored the intersection for “some time”.
A proposal to install traffic signals at the intersection would be “considered” for future funding, he said.
