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Bank Street crash 'completely avoidable'

A recent accident at the dangerous Bank Street intersection highlights the urgent need for traffic lights. The Nationals' Martin Cameron criticised Labor for delays and insufficient safety measures despite previous warnings and reduced speed limits.

By news@gippsland - 29th July 2024 - Back to News

Another "totally avoidable" accident at the notoriously dangerous Bank Street intersection last week has underscored the dire need for Labor to act immediately and install traffic lights. On Thursday afternoon two people were taken to hospital after a school bus and car collided on the Princes Highway. It comes after The Nationals' Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, implored the state government to install traffic lights at the "death trap" intersection where safety upgrades had stalled under Labor.

Another avoidable accident at the hazardous Bank Street intersection highlights the urgent need for traffic lights, with Martin Cameron urging Labor to act immediately on stalled safety upgrades

Minister ignores warnings

Martin Cameron said, "It is completely unacceptable that there has been a crash at this intersection, involving a school bus no less, when Minister for Roads Melissa Horne was warned about the dangers of failing to install traffic lights."

"A few weeks ago, Labor reduced the speed limit on the Princes Highway 60 km/h despite being told this would do little to improve safety for road users. When asked why traffic lights couldn't be installed on the poles, the Minister showed a complete lack of understanding by suggesting traffic lights would add to the risk because cars might queue across the railway line," he said.

Government neglects infrastructure

Mr Cameron added, "It has been nearly two years since work started to upgrade the Bank Street intersection but in typical Labor fashion the job is unfinished. Without these works, and without traffic lights on the poles, it's no exaggeration to say this intersection is a death trap."

"It is not good enough that motorists are forced to risk their lives every day simply because of this government's inaction and incompetence. If Labor can remove 80 level crossings across metropolitan Melbourne in the space of four years, then surely it can extend the same courtesy to the people of the Latrobe Valley who have waited nearly a decade for this one single project to be finished. Labor can't manage money, can't manage roads, and regional Victorians are paying the price," he said.

Pictures from Martin Cameron MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com