Residents are calling on Moira Shire Council to take action to address a long-standing blind-spot hazard in Cobram.
Former Moira Shire and Cobram Shire councillor Garry Jones said the T-intersection of Anvil St and Manse Rd in Cobram’s north had been the scene of collisions and many near misses.
Mr Jones said the safety issues associated with the intersection often caused people to avoid it completely.
“Others are very cautious because they’ve had incidents there that make [it] unsafe,” he said.
Indeed, residents say the intersection was the scene of a collision involving two teenage boys and a vehicle travelling south on Manse Rd earlier this month.
Although a give way sign at the end of Anvil St alerts approaching drivers to the intersection, Mr Jones said more needed to be done to improve safety.
Mr Jones, who lives in the area, said he would like Moira Shire Council to consider replacing the give way sign with a stop sign.
“Because if you don’t [stop], you are putting your life in some heck of a danger,” he said.
He also highlighted the need for painted stop signals and speed limit signs on the section of Manse Rd leading into the intersection.
A housing development on the nearby Newnham Rd, which joins the north section of Manse Rd, is currently under construction.
Moira Shire Council Chair Administrator Dr Graeme Emonson said the council continues to advocate for safety on Moira Shire roads in alignment with the objectives of the Victorian Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030.
In June, council administrators met with concerned residents to discuss the issue of the intersection, alongside the issue of the reopening of the nearby Davey St intersection.
Chair Administrator Dr Graeme Emonson said the meeting was an opportunity to discuss residents’ concerns about these intersections.
“Additional traffic being generated from housing development in this precinct is resulting in increased traffic concerns,” Dr Emonson said.
“Council has placed conditions on a development that is occurring in close proximity to the Anvil Street intersection to undertake traffic assessments and potential upgrades to the intersection where considered appropriate. This will be undertaken as part of future stages of development.
“Council has committed to work closely with affected residents when any requirements for intersection changes are being considered by the developer in conjunction with council.”
Dr Emonson said the council will consider the request for a stop sign to be placed at Anvil St.
There are currently no speed limit signs or other traffic-calming devices along that section of Manse Rd.
Mr Jones said Manse Rd saw increased traffic during the festive season as holidaymakers visited the nearby Cobram Regional Park.
“People know this notorious intersection, and something has to be done to help it,” Mr Jones said.