Page 329 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 14 February 2017
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lights at the intersection of Tillyard Drive and Ginninderra Drive. This dangerous intersection is a very serious issue in my neighbourhood—one that affects not only my family and me but also many who live in my electorate of Ginninderra, and thousands of other Canberrans every day.
As a resident of Charnwood, I have been aware for a long time of some of the risks that this intersection poses. While I was working with my local community and standing for election last year, it became clear that installing traffic lights at the intersection of Tillyard and Ginninderra drives is a top priority for many people whose travel requires them to use this intersection.
As most are probably aware, Ginninderra is a major arterial road corridor, with a two-lane dual carriageway cross-section where it is intersected by Tillyard Drive. This intersection has drawn attention for many years, owing to a high number of traffic accidents. It was part of the federal black spot program, and funds were allocated for signage and concrete island improvements in 2011. This, however, did not prove to be enough to reduce traffic collisions at this intersection.
Multiple accidents at this intersection have made the news since the 2011-improvements, including collisions between cars, motorcyclists and also cyclists. Some victims were lucky enough to be relatively unscathed, but others have been reported to require hospitalisation after being stabilised by paramedics.
Roads ACT crash statistics reported 300 casualty crashes in Canberra’s northern suburbs over the past five years. More than 200 out of the 300 crashes occurred at intersections, with 10 of these crashes occurring at the Tillyard-Ginninderra Drive intersection. This intersection is listed as one of the top four most dangerous intersections in Belconnen which were responsible for one-fifth of all casualty crashes at intersections in the area. In addition to actual collisions reported, numerous local residents have related to me that they regularly experience near-misses at this intersection, and regularly observe other drivers having close calls as well, especially during peak hours and when lighting obscures vision.
As a local resident who uses this intersection on a daily basis, I personally note its danger. I have spoken to constituents who have told me that they take a longer, alternative route in order to avoid this intersection entirely, both for their own safety and for the safety of their passengers. And it is not just local drivers who understand the need for safety improvements to this intersection. The Belconnen Community Council have also identified the intersection of Tillyard and Ginninderra drives as problematic, and encourage a specific study to be undertaken as the ACT government considers the long-term effects of their infrastructure plans in west Belconnen.
In addition, the 2014 west Belconnen technical traffic report revealed that, in particular, eastbound Ginninderra Drive in the left lane during morning peak hours exceeded the recommended traffic volume. The report also predicted the situation to worsen in coming years, with a significant increase in traffic.
Unfortunately, despite these ongoing problems and increasing concerns, the ACT government has to date failed to take the action needed to improve the safety of
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