Children are risking their lives every time they cross a dangerous Yarraville intersection, according to worried parents and residents.
They say the Francis Street-Wembley Avenue pedestrian crossing, used to reach Wembley Primary School, is constantly under threat from vehicles running red lights and speeding.
Carlos Klepachek, the intersection’s school crossing supervisor for more than three years, says thousands of passing trucks have him fearing for the lives of pupils.
“It’s out of control. A month ago I was hit [by a car] on the crossing before I started working at 8am,” he said.
“I want to help the kids cross, but I can’t do it because the truck drivers put their feet on the accelerator and go.”
Mr Klepachek said the speed limit must be reduced from 60km/h to 40km/h, a view echoed by Maribyrnong councillor Michael Clarke, who said the intersection was plagued by trucks refusing to slow and running lights.
“This is a remarkably dangerous intersection; it’s just a matter of time before we see a major fatality here,” he said.
A mother of a Wembley pupil said she and her daughter were almost hit by a truck after starting to cross at the lights.
“I’ve seen Carlos with some near-misses as well, with trucks coming through after the lights change,” she said.
Resident Lola Anderson said her daughter was almost killed at the intersection when she was 18.
“We’ve been fighting on and off for 30-odd years to make this safe,” she said.
Western suburbs upper house Liberal MP Andrew Elsbury said he had repeatedly asked Roads Minister Terry Mulder and VicRoads for a 40km/h speed zone at the crossing.
VicRoads’ regional director, Patricia Liew, said a number of different solutions would be investigated, based on information provided by the local community at a recent open house with the council as well as the truck movement survey.
VicRoads has also submitted a proposal to the Department of Justice for cameras at the intersection.
