MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire is conferring with the Department of Transport and United Energy to have pedestrian lights activated in Bungower Road, pictured.
But it’s taking a time…
“This process is taking longer than anticipated due to the impacts of COVID-19 and working with various external agencies to activate the lights,” Advocacy, Communications and Engagement team leader Joanne Donelly said.
Work on the lights, near St Macartans Primary School, started in March. The lights and associated works, funded and managed by Mornington Peninsula Shire, are said to have cost $400,000.
It is believed the Department of Transport approved works prior to construction but delayed activating the lights over concerns the nearby Mornington Tourist Railway line crossing does not have boom gates. It runs once a week.
“The slow progress, and the lack of communication and co-operation between the two authorities does not instil much confidence that the traffic problems will be resolved in Bungower Road any time soon,” resident Ken McBride said.
“If the crossing is supposed to be safer for pedestrians, and with schools returning, it seems ludicrous to have the lights there but not activated.”
A Department of Transport spokesperson said it would “continue working with Mornington Peninsula Shire to ensure the new signals can be switched on as soon as possible”.
First published in the Mornington News – 16 November 2021
