Amy Hume
Macedon Ranges Council is advocating for ‘prompt’ delivery of safety improvements to Woodend’s notorious Urquhart-High Street intersection, which could be up to seven years away.
The works are a ‘medium-term’ project in the draft Woodend Integrated Transport Study with a four-to-seven year timeframe.
Council’s director of assets and operations, Shane Walden, said the project’s medium-term rank did not mean it was unimportant.
“It’s rather that there are long lead times in the development of an intersection upgrade,” he explained.
“Council and the department will continue to work closely to ensure this upgrade is realised promptly.”
Mr Walden said the Department of Transport had already begun design works to improve the Urquhart-High Street experience.
The risky intersection, near the Coles supermarket, was the most common concern flagged in the study survey.
Intersection users battle main street congestion, a confusing layout, and high volumes of traffic accessing service hot spots.
Complaints about the intersection’s traffic have persisted since Coles re-positioned itself at the busy corner in November 2018.
West Ward councillor Janet Pearce pushed for the transport study in her previous council term and last week reassured residents progress was under way.
“We have continually heard from residents and understand the concerns regarding this intersection,” Cr Pearce said.
“I want to reassure everyone that we have been continually advocating and working on this… We do understand how important this is.”
Councillors endorsed the draft Woodend Integrated Transport Plan with a 10-year priority-based recommendations program last week.
Other actions included in the plan are better active transport routes, public transport with train and bus accessibility, and road safety in various locations.
The report also identifies that pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure in Woodend is considered lacking.
A long-term priority listed includes implementing a bicycle lane along the full length of Anslow Street.
Further plans include reviews of crossing points, pedestrian refuges, identifying missing links, advocating for further pedestrian/cycling connectivity funding and an audit of walking/cycling infrastructure.
Council officers will submit an annual business case for future funding for the remaining medium and long-term recommendations.
