VicRoads has confirmed a dangerous stretch of road in Clunes, the site of three crashes in seven months, will be upgraded in early 2017.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Service Street recently returned to the spotlight following the death on Christmas Day of a 37-year-old man whose car rolled while navigating a bend at 5.30am.
VicRoads acting regional director Bradley Pryor said concerns from police and the local community had led VicRoads to act.
“Following recent crashes in Service Street at Clunes and conversations with local residents and Victoria Police, it has been identified that some motorists are failing to negotiate the curve safely,” Mr Pryor said.
“VicRoads has confirmed that shoulder sealing and delineation upgrades will help to improve safety at this location. These works are expected to occur in coming weeks.”
The curve was the site of a crash in November where a car struck two parked vehicles.
In June a 76-year-old Clunes resident was also airlifted to The Alfred hospital in Melbourne after being struck by a vehicle that failed to negotiate the turn.
The street, which spans a section of Ballarat-Maryborough Road, had its speed limit reduced from 80km/h to 60km/h before the incident in November.
Clunes resident Bruce McCrossan, who lives on the corner of the bend, urged drivers to obey the existing road rules when negotiating the turn.
“We’ve had (the speed limit) lowered down to 60km and you really can’t do much more than that,” Mr McCrossan said.
“You’ve got to abide by the speed limit.”
Speaking after the crash at Christmas, VicRoads western region regional directer Ewen Nevett said while VicRoads was determined to work with police to address the problem road, drivers needed to play their part.
“Keeping people safe on our roads is a number one priority for VicRoads … but we can’t do it alone. Everyone has a part to play.”