SWAN Hill Rural City Council (SHRCC) says it will investigate options for the McCallum Street median carpark following complaints of blocked vision at the McCallum and High street roundabout.
Swan Hill bike rider Peter Warburton wrote a letter to the editor on November 8 indicating the impact parked cars were having on bike riders.
“If you are travelling west on McCallum Street, through the High Street roundabout and there are cars parked in the last two parking bays on the right, it is impossible to see traffic coming around the roundabout on your right,” Mr Warburton said.
“Or, if you are riding a bike south along High Street, you come out onto McCallum Street blind hoping the traffic coming west down McCallum stop before they enter the roundabout because if they don’t it will be too late by the time they see you.
“Why would you change an intersection into a roundabout to make the intersection safer, if you than make the approach to the roundabout blind to drivers and bike riders?”
Swan Hill resident Jeanette Matthews agreed, saying the current carpark design was blocking vision.
“It is not the fault of the person parked — they are entitled to park there but a vehicle parked is not conducive to the safety of the roundabout,” Ms Matthews said.
Ms Matthews suggested the last two parking spaces could be converted into bicycle racks or a motorbike park to assist with safety.
“At least then people will be able to see what they are going into,” she said.
Regional Roads Victoria acting regional director (northern) Barry Green said the $3.1 million roundabout project had “significantly increased safety, visibility and traffic flow” along McCallum Street and visibility was sufficient.
“The roundabout at McCallum and High street has increased safety at the intersection for more than 5000 drivers using it each day,” Mr Green said.
“An independent road safety audit found visibility at the intersection is appropriate and we urge riders and drivers to approach the intersection at a safe speed so they are able to give way to any traffic already in the roundabout or approaching from the right.”
Mr Green said RRV and SHRCC had worked closely together throughout the roundabout upgrade that was completed in July this year.
SHRCC director of infrastructure Svetla Petkova also said the roundabout complied with necessary safety requirements.
“As the visibility for vehicles (including bicycles) at this roundabout is compliant, making changes to existing infrastructure can be difficult,” Ms Petkova said.
“Given the community concern, council will be investigating options for the McCallum Street median car park in the future.”
