Following community concern about the Midland Highway between Ballarat and Bendigo, results from surveys indicate people want speed limit drops and more safety for cyclists.
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Consultation with the community, including drop-in sessions and online surveys, have revealed where people want to see changes along the route, which includes Creswick, Daylesford, and Castlemaine.
The 120 kilometre highway has seen too many fatal accidents in recent years, and the population is growing rapidly, according to Regional Roads Victoria western regional director Mal Kersting.
“Particularly as Ballarat’s big build continues – we need to be prepared for the increased traffic volumes that come with it,” he said.
“The feedback we received from our information sessions and online will help to inform any future development plans for the Midland Highway between Ballarat and Bendigo.”
Speed reductions on the highway at points between Newlyn and Glenlyon were proposed, as well as slowing traffic in towns to make pedestrian crossings safer.
More overtaking lanes are also required, and better intersections, particularly near schools.
Black ice signs are a priority - two people died after their car hit a tree near Daylesford in icy conditions in 2016, and works are underway to install more ice detection systems north of Ballarat.
Cyclist safety is also on the radar, with a separate push for the state government to bring in minimum safe distance legislation.
Last year, the state government ruled out installing centre-line barriers between Ballarat and Creswick, despite a horror head-on collision at Sulky in June.
The barriers have been particularly controversial on the single-lane Princes Highway between Sale and Bairnsdale, but police have said they save lives.
Rumble strips and a wide centre-line are being installed instead.
50 people attended drop-in sessions in Guildford, Daylesford, Newlyn, and Creswick, providing 45 comments.
Online, 79 comments were received from 41 contributors.
Regional Roads Victoria has pledged to continue listening to road users as any plans progress.
Residents are encouraged to complete a survey on the Regional Roads Victoria website, or email ballaratprojects@roads.vic.gov.au