In Werribee’s Watton Street, a pedestrian crossing located almost directly in front of the Coles supermarket has become a focal point of safety concerns for locals and shopkeepers. Numerous reports have emerged regarding vehicles failing to stop at the crossing, leading to near-misses and heightened anxieties among pedestrians.
The situation reached a critical point today when yet another near miss occurred, prompting renewed calls for immediate action to address the hazardous conditions. The pedestrian reported it’s now been in excess of 10 times drivers traveling eastbound on Watton street have not stopped at the crossing and today was his second near miss.
Concerned citizens and business owners have voiced their apprehensions, pointing out that the crossing may not be adequately visible to drivers, thus exacerbating the risk of accidents.
One shopkeeper, who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed their distress, said, “It’s terrifying to witness cars speeding past the crossing without any regard for pedestrians. We fear that it’s only a matter of time before a serious accident occurs.”
Similarly, several residents have echoed these sentiments, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced safety measures. Among the proposed solutions is the installation of yellow flashing lights to alert drivers to the presence of the pedestrian crossing, thereby reducing the likelihood of further incidents.
According to Wyndham City’s Road Safety Strategy everyone who travels on its roads and paths will arrive safely at their destination.
It says it’s aiming to reduce road trauma to ensure that everybody can participate in all that Wyndham has to offer and travel home safely. To achieve its vision, Wyndham City stated it has the following objectives:
- Be Safe – Ensure everyone is safe and feels safe, on and around our roads and paths
- 10 Year Reduction – Measures to significantly reduce the number of lives lost on our roads over the next 10 years (by 50%) and progressively reduce serious injuries by 2030.
- A Culture of Safety – Embed a culture of road safety within the Wyndham community.
- Deliver Initiatives – Deliver a suite of initiatives aligned with the Safe System approach that have both immediate and longer-term benefits.
The objectives are in line with the State Government’s Victorian Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 to ensure alignment between Wyndham’s efforts and those of if’s neighboring Councils and State Government partners.
As the community awaits concrete action to address the hazardous conditions at the pedestrian crossing on Watton Street, residents and business owners remain vigilant, hoping for swift and decisive measures to prevent any further incidents and ensure the well-being of all road users.
Anyone who witnesses reckless behavior or encounters safety hazards or concerns at the crossing should report them promptly, emphasising the importance of collective efforts in safeguarding the community’s welfare.
