Welcome news, but mixed signals

TRANSPORT Minister Peter Batchelor’s announcement that the Enterprise AvenueClyde Road, Berwick, intersection will be signalised in conjunction with the railway crossing signalisation is welcome news.
My view on 16 August listed four serious issues facing the southeast and the remaining three are noise barriers along the Monash Freeway at Beaconsfield, retention for public use of Education Department land at Timbarra, Berwick, and a bus service to Casey Hospital from all points.
I was delighted to hear Mr Batchelor announce the $2 million signalisation for Clyde Road, but surprised that it would not happen until 2008.
Perhaps that will change and the work might be brought forward once VicRoads gets the message that it has to be done.
This is an intersection that impacts on people from throughout the southeast region and it has for a long time been a gridlock, but the real danger I see is drivers stuck in Enterprise Avenue becoming frustrated and trying to turn right into the southbound lane.
This is a potential for fatal accidents and I am surprised that this has not already happened.
I no longer do the righthand turn because I was once caught midstream when I crossed the northbound lane only to see two cars turn left from the railway car park.
I was caught with a car bearing down and a driver who had no intention of stopping.
There is an urgency to get this work done as quickly as possible because it is needed as a reasonable expectation of what road users deserve.
It should be done in the name of safety and not because it is politically expedient.