‘Death stop’ fears

By Shaun Inguanzo
A BUS STOP moved closer to an accident-prone intersection in Dandenong South would spell death or serious injury for school students and other public transport users, local residents fear.
Residents living in Hammond and Kirkham Roads are calling for Greater Dandenong Council to stop the relocation of the Dandenong South Progress Hall bus stop on Hammond Road to the Kirkham Road intersection.
The council has said the bus stop is under the jurisdiction of VicRoads and Department of Infrastructure, but it will work with residents to resolve the matter.
Hammond Road residents Ann Dostovaloff and Gerard Cullen presented a petition on behalf of fellow residents at Monday night’s council meeting.
Mr Cullen said the intersection was notorious for accidents and that a bus stop closer to it would place public transport users’ lives at risk.
Ms Dostovaloff said residents feared a stray vehicle might slam into the bus stop and seriously injure, or even kill, commuters.
“It’s an accident-prone zone,” Mr Cullen said.
“People fly around the corner (into Hammond Road) and a bus stop near it could pose a big safety risk to the people waiting for the bus.”
Mr Cullen said the bus stop was originally 110 metres from the dangerous intersection, but was being relocated to within 35 metres.
“No one told us about the works,” he said.
Ms Dostovaloff said if residents had been notified then they could have addressed the issue before works began.
According to the residents, about 30 school children wait at the bus stop each morning as cars career along Hammond and Kirkham roads during peak hour.
“We’ve already had trees and fences ripped out of their position because of crazy drivers,” Mr Cullen said.
“The wire fences near the intersection that are there to stop cars in an accident are still wrecked, too (from a previous accident).”
City of Greater Dandenong mayor Youhorn Chea said the council was investigating the relocation.
“Council is awaiting information from VicRoads and the Department of Infrastructure regarding the above-mentioned matter,” he said.
“Council will liaise closely with the residents to hear their concerns and issues and will relay these to the relevant stakeholders.”