Arrows are point of contention

By Shaun Inguanzo
CHANDLER Road residents are fuming because they still do not have a right turn arrow onto Cheltenham Road despite a VicRoads letter five years ago declaring the intersection a blackspot.
Keysborough Ward councillor Roz Blades this week raised the issue at a Greater Dandenong council meeting.
Cr Blades originally asked council officers to act on getting the arrow that would allow Chandler Road vehicles to turn right onto Cheltenham Road without having to brave the flood of oncoming traffic, including trucks.
Chandler Road residents Bob and Rita Malcolm first wrote to VicRoads in November 2001 after their daughter and a close friend each narrowly avoided an accident while making the unmediated right turn.
VicRoads traffic engineer Philip Davis replied to the Malcolms in December 2001 and said the intersection was a blackspot and that ‘VicRoads is currently investigating the most appropriate works to improve the intersection’.
“It is now not far off five years since that letter and we are still waiting for something to be done,” Mr Malcolm said.
“There is no traffic cycle that allows you to safely do a right hand turn.
“A lot of traffic is now coming straight through from the opposite end into Chandler Road and the lights have often changed back to red again before you get a chance to complete the turn.”
Cr Blades questioned how difficult it could be for VicRoads to install the right-turn arrow.
“There is a right turn arrow from Cheltenham Road into Chandler Road and into Kingsclere Avenue… it is the only major intersection feeding into Cheltenham Road without a right turn.
“How hard is it put one in?”
City of Greater Dandenong engineering services director Tim Tamlin said he was meeting with VicRoads within two weeks and would raise the issue again.
But he said last time he spoke with the roads body, he was told it was not as high a priority as similar projects across Victoria.
Cr Blades said that explanation was unacceptable.
“I suggest VicRoads take their list of priorities to the residents in Chandler Road and I am sure they will tell VicRoads what they think of that list.
“VicRoads’s priority has to be safety and they have acknowledged that by putting arrows at other intersections.”
The Star contacted VicRoads for comment but did not receive a response before going to print.