VICTOR HARBOR - Local politicians have called for immediate improvements to be made to the notorious Waterport, Welsh, Victor Harbor roads intersection.
The Member for Finniss, Michael Pengilly, and Family First MLC, Robert Brokenshire of Mount Compass, recently took the issue to their respective parliaments, pressuring the State Government to act to overcome the dangers.
Their calls echo the plea of the City of Victor Harbor and emergency services after a Mount Compass man last month became the second local fatality at the intersection in twelve months.
"The Fleurieu Road Safety Group, the City of Victor Harbor council, numerous residents, itinerant and regular visitors, The Times, local radio stations, the adjacent landholders, and particularly emergency services and police … are just some of the people who have expressed their major concerns over that intersection," Mr Pengilly told State Parliament last week.
Local emergency service representatives told The Times in the August 28 edition that they respond to emergency calls at the intersection, almost on a regular basis.
"Something has got to be done; it was the second fatal accident in 12 months and minor accidents happen all the time," SES South Coast unit manager, Bob Suba said.
"In the end, we need a roundabout, but how many lives do we have to lose before that happens?"
A recent Internet and SMS poll conducted by The Times (04/09/08) found 85-percent of respondents agreed that a roundabout should be installed at the intersection.
Both Mr Pengilly and Mr Brokenshire believe a reduction of the Victor Harbor Road from 100kmh to 80kmh and the construction of a rural roundabout are required to improve safety for motorists at the intersection.
"Nothing short of a rural roundabout is needed and to slow down that section of road immediately to 80kmh," Mr Pengilly said.
"Nothing is more important than doing that as soon as possible. These tragedies, fatalities, and serious incidents cannot go on."
Describing the issue as a "matter of urgency", Mr Brokenshire has called upon the State Government to act immediately.
"The notorious Ring Road intersection with the Victor Harbor Road and Waterport Road creates a two-stage intersection that is just a recipe for disaster," Mr Brokenshire said.
"As indeed we have tragically seen as recently as a few weeks ago, when a member of my own community died there."
Mr Brokenshire plans to circulate a petition proposing proper infrastructure for the intersection.
z To show your support for improvements to the intersection, sign the petition on The Times' website at www.thetimes.yourguide.com.au. You can also sign it at The Times’ office at 13 Coral Street, Victor Harbor.
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