MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council wants the state government to hand over at least $158 million for road improvements, after figures revealed the shire has one of the highest number of road tolls in the state.
In the past decade there have been 73 fatalities on peninsula roads, according to Transport Accident Commission statistics. More than 1300 people were seriously injured over the same time, including pedestrians and cyclists.
The mayor Cr Anthony Marsh described the statistics as shocking and said there was a lack of government assistance to address many of the peninsula’s dangerous road sites.
“Families are devastated by the trauma and death experienced on our roads and we need to take action to make our roads safer,” he said.
“We should all be able to safely travel to school, work or holiday destination. Road conditions, road safety infrastructure, and better cycling and pedestrian considerations will significantly affect safety across our vast road network. We must demand better from our politicians now – we urgently need $50 million to fix our dangerous roads.”
Marsh said the devastating impacts of road trauma on the community were not just felt when someone lost their life.
Serious injuries were the “hidden” road toll, with ongoing pain, suffering and long-term impairment upending the lives of victims and their families.
The council is asking the state government for urgent cash injections of at least $50 million, including $25 million for upgrades to four high-risk intersections, $18 million for pedestrian safety upgrades, and $7 million for improvements to on-road cycling lanes.
Further priorities include $40 million to make five more high-risk intersections safe, and $25 million to improve safety along the Western Port Highway.
The cash call is part of the council’s Shout Out campaign.
Details: mornpen.vic.gov.au/SHOUTOUT
First published in the Mornington News – 18 October 2022
