Fast lane conflict

By Casey Neill
ANGRY Belgrave South residents say a proposed Wellington Road overtaking lane will put motorists and horse riders at risk.
More than 30 objectors spoke up at a heated planning consultation meeting with VicRoads and Yarra Ranges Council representatives at Belgrave Library on 13 September.
In 2007 the Federal Government allocated $8 million for passing lanes on Wellington Road.
VicRoads has selected a 750-metre stretch between Spring and Belgrave-Hallam roads for one lane.
The section provides access to more than 90 households and has a bridle track for horse riders set back from the road.
The lane will include a sealed shoulder and central lane for turning into driveways and four side streets – Courtney’s Road, The Strand, Kerr’s Lane and Spring Road.
More than 360 trees and undergrowth would be removed and the roadside would be alongside homes and the bridle track.
Lyster Ward councillor Samantha Dunn said an application to construct the overtaking lane was likely to come before the council in the next six to eight weeks.
The shire has received 29 objections.
“Local residents have a lot of concerns about the safety of the proposal and the vegetation loss,” she said.
Mervyn Road resident Sally Rice criticised a lack of consultation on the issue, with few residents notified of the meeting.
“It’s becoming very passionate for us as a safety issue,” she said.
“The overtaking lane is going to become a speeding lane.”
Ms Rice has lived off Wellington Road for almost 20 years. She said motorists currently drive up the hill at 100 kilometre an hour and overtake on double lines.
“It gets pretty scary,” she said.
“With two lanes of traffic coming up there’s just no hope.”
“VicRoads’s statistics say that it’s safer but we don’t see how it can be.”
Ms Rice said traffic noise levels would increase dramatically following proposed vegetation removal, particularly in homes on Wellington Road.
“The road will be so close to their front fences,” she said.
“It’s very sad to see them trying to put suburbia in our little piece of bush.”
Dandenong Ranges Horse and Pony Club president Jonathon Lloyd was concerned about rider and driver safety.
“Having a bridle track so close to an 80km/h road – no man in his right mind would think about doing that,” he said.
He said traffic so close to the track was likely to spook horses.
“If that happens, the horse will naturally jump into an open space,” he said.
Mr Lloyd fears horses will leap onto the road and collide with traffic.
“Nobody wins. It’s just a very horrible thing to witness,” he said.
“It’s about the safety of riders, horses and families driving along the road.
“Everyone is at risk and in danger of losing their lives.”
He said the bridle track was one of few left because of high upkeep costs.
“I can run into half a dozen other riders on a weekend ride,” he said.
“But it will be such a dangerous trail. I can’t see anybody using it.”
Mr Lloyd said children agisted their horses at Lysterfield Riding Centre in Kerr’s Lane.
“Kids can’t walk or ride their horse over a four-lane road,” he said.
He said drivers would struggle to exit onto Wellington Road with a horse-drawn float weighing up to four tonnes.
Dandenong Ranges Horse and Pony Club committee member Fred Edwards suggested special traffic lights for horse riders or an underpass as a compromise.
“We live in an expanding city and the powers that be will always attempt to achieve improvements at the lowest cost,” he said.
“However, I feel that it should not be at the cost of quality of life. A little interactive planning could make all the difference.”
The Mail contacted VicRoads but did not receive a response before going to print.