Horse enthusiasts Carol Campbell and Ian Murphy are worried about the safety of local riders after approval was given to VicRoads to make major changes to a Narre Warren East intersection. 20585 Picture: Meagan Rogers.
– Callan Date
THE safety of horse riders has been ignored in proposed upgrades to a Narre Warren East intersection, a long-time resident says.
Ian Murphy has voiced his disapproval of a VicRoads plan to make major changes at the corner of Berwick Road and Wellington Road.
Shire of Yarra Ranges councillors gave the green light for the upgrades to go ahead at a recent council meeting.
More than 25 mature trees, along with 540 square metres of native vegetation, will be cut down as part of the works.
Mr Murphy, a horse enthusiast himself, said the works would leave riders in grave danger of injury.
He said with more lanes and a wider spread of high speed traffic, it would be impossible for horse riders to safely access nearby riding trails.
“The horse industry is by far the biggest employer of those who work in the area,” he said.
“Pony clubs and trails are the main training grounds for people in the horse industry, together with a large number of equestrian centres.”
VicRoads figures for the intersection revealed one motorist had died and five were seriously injured between 1999 and 2004.
A report by Shire of Yarra Ranges officers stated the intersection had a history of traffic collisions and works were required to make it safer for motorists.
“The proposed works have undergone a number of design changes prior to submission of the application,” the report noted.
Other objectors cited the impact on the environment as their major concern.
VicRoads did not respond to inquiries before the News went to press.
