A COMBINED approach is needed to sort out what is causing a series of crashes at six Sturt Street intersections, police and VicRoads say.
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There have been four incidents in the past two weeks, two of those in broad daylight on Thursday, which saw three people treated by paramedics and one taken to hospital.
There were more than 70 similar accidents at the same six intersections – Ripon Street, Talbot Street, Ascot Street, Errand Street, Raglan Street and Lyons Street - in five years to June 30 last year.
The first crash on Thursday happened at 11.15am at the corner of Sturt Street and Lyons Street North, while a second occurred at 4.30pm at the corner Sturt and Ascots streets.
Recent incidents also happened on May 20 and 23.
VicRoads regional director Mal Kersting said VicRoads discussions with Sturt Street traders were “progressing positively”.
"We're continuing to discuss a number of potential approaches to limiting the safety issues associated with Sturt Street,” Mr Kersting said.
“Once we have found a solution, we'll be sharing those plans with the wider community. Our aim is to pursue all the options available to us in order to deliver a solution that meets the expectations of the entire Ballarat community."
Ballarat Acting Superintendent Dan Davison said it was up to all users to take care on the roads.
“It’s all about everyone coming together,” Acting Superintendent Davison said.
“Police do rely on the public to do the right thing. Our highway patrol continually analyses crash data and they do look for patterns and is continually providing feedback.”
Roads Minister Luke Donnellan - who visited Ballarat on Thursday morning to announce an upgrade to another accident hot-spot at the corner of Midland Highway and the Western Highway - said the state government was keen to see improvements on the road which met with community expectations.
“I think there are responses from the community that do not support the various propositions that we’ve put forward,” Mr Donnellan said.
“So it’s something that we’re working through with the City of Ballarat and the local community to ensure we get outcomes which are supported.”
Mr Donnellan said community support for improvements was critical.
“It’s no use actually upgrading safety if you don’t get the support from the community,” he said.
“I know people don’t like change, but we need to recognise we need safety for pedestrians, drivers and bike riders.
“We need to do further work to find solutions which suits all three.”
