A concrete power pole has been destroyed after two cars collided in Kyneton this morning.
Police, paramedics and firefighters were called to the scene at the intersection of Mollison and Beauchamp Streets at 9.40am and victims were treated for non-life threatening injuries.
The intersection, located in the centre of Kyneton, was blocked to traffic and pedestrians due to fallen powerlines sprawled across the footpath.
A Powercor spokesperson confirmed 53 customers were currently without power.
“We’re going to have to replace the pole… it will be a few hours at least,” the spokesperson said.
“We remind the community to always treat fallen powerlines as live, even if you may think they’re not.
“Stay well clear, at least 10 metres, and report any fallen lines to us on 13 24 12.”
The estimated time for power to be restored to residential homes is 1pm.
The concrete power pole snapped in half.
It marks the second time a collision has occurred at this intersection in the past six months and locals have called for greater safety measures.
One nearby resident said it was a regular occurrence at the end of their street.
“I’ve lived there for the past 15 years and have seen several major accidents and the powerlines replaced previously. Beauchamp Street is an extension of the freeway and cars speed through. We need a roundabout or set of lights here to prevent casualties,” said the resident.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s ‘Kyneton Movement Network Study and Strategic Plan for 2024-2033’ noted the road was an “unsignalised cross intersection with crash history”.
It identified the need to install a roundabout at the Mollison Street/Beauchamp Street intersection as a “medium priority”.
Transport Victoria’s data consolidated from Victoria Police and hospitals, report six accidents have occurred at this intersection between 2014 and 2021.
However, not all accidents from this specific location are recorded in their dataset, such as an accident that occurred on Anzac Day earlier this year when a Mercedes Benz driver failed to give way and collided with another vehicle, 700m from where people were marching on the street.
A car crash at the intersection of Beauchamp and Mollison Street reported by the Midland Express on Anzac Day earlier this year. This incident isn’t recorded in Transport Victoria’s accident dataset.
