General News
27 June, 2024
New “safer” limit for bridge
The speed limit along the infamous and “dangerous’ Bailey Street Bridge in Clunes has been reduced from 60 kilometres per hour to 40 km/h following a local petition backed by hundreds of residents. The bridge, which is regularly used by...
The speed limit along the infamous and “dangerous’ Bailey Street Bridge in Clunes has been reduced from 60 kilometres per hour to 40 km/h following a local petition backed by hundreds of residents.
The bridge, which is regularly used by motorists to travel between Maryborough and Ballarat, has become notorious for collisions and near misses due to its blind spots and tight bends.
According to Clunes local Cora Trevarthen, who helped start the petition alongside fellow resident Robin Schmidt, a “horrifying” experience prompted the pair to advocate for a change to the speed limit.
“Since I have lived in Clunes there have been at least four accidents that have required the bridge to be closed with emergency services and tow trucks needing to be called,” she said.
“What tends to happen is that cars come down the hill, see the 60 km/h sign, not unreasonably people think they can keep travelling at 60 and they get halfway across the bridge and realise just how sharp a curve it is.
“Once when Robin and I were walking, we were behind a young mum with a stroller and we saw a truck miss her by millimeters on that bridge — it was just horrifying and I thought that’s it I’ve had enough, we have to do something about this.
“What we don’t want is a killer bridge and there have been so many near misses because of how dangerous it is and perhaps it’s only a matter of time before there is a fatality.”
After originally reaching out to Hepburn Shire Council who told the pair they were advocating to the Department of Transport to increase safety measures on the State Government road, Ms Trevarthen and Mr Schmidt approached Member for Ripon Martha Haylett to assist with their efforts, with the petition officially launching last July.
Ms Haylett gave the petition, with over 450 signatures, to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne to enact the reduced speed limit to improve safety for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.
Ms Trevarthen thanked Ms Haylett and the Clunes community for their efforts in supporting the petition.
“It demonstrates the power of a united community — Clunes has great community spirit and it’s terrific that traders and residents all got behind what is quite a hazardous road safety issue,” she said.
“I’m incredibly impressed by the diligence that Martha was able to bring to the petition in order for us to get a positive result and the community is deeply appreciative of her efforts.”
Ms Haylett echoed Ms Trevarthen comments and said the change in speed limit, introduced this week, has been made possible by the community.
“The petition was an opportunity for Clunes’ residents and surrounding communities to draw to the attention of the minister, concerns with the speed limit of 60 km/h over the Bailey Street bridge in Clunes,” she said.
“Near misses are all too common along the Bailey Street bridge in Clunes, with many locals avoiding it altogether because they know how dangerous the stretch of road is.
“The overwhelming support showed the minister and department that the community backed the speed reduction, and it helped make it happen.
“I thank everyone who signed the petition and helped me to advocate for a safer speed limit in Clunes. The collective support for this change helped me to get the job done.”
