Thursday, 20 February 2020

Allansford road safety

Ms BRITNELL (South-West Coast) (09:37): Last year my community suffered a tragic loss when 16-year-old Sam Chilton was killed riding his bike to cricket training. He was hit by a truck as he crossed the Princes Highway to enter the township of Allansford. A loss of this nature leaves an entire community reeling and grief stricken. In the weeks following Sam’s death, members of the Chilton family and the broader Allansford community approached me, sharing their concerns about safety on the road entering and exiting Allansford.

I made representation to Minister Pulford requesting a review of the current speed limit on the Princes Highway where it passes the township of Allansford and a review of the safety of exit and entry points to Allansford. Minister Pulford informed me that a review had been conducted and that no further action was to be taken, despite a growing chorus of concern in my community.

In recent weeks the coroner handed down her finding into Sam’s death and recommended improvements to cycling infrastructure in this area, but the government’s first option to fix safety concerns is to install a centre-line wire rope barrier. In relation to the wire rope barrier plan for the highway, Sam’s father, Neil, told the Warrnambool Standard:

I can’t see that improving safety …

He added:

The government needs to start looking after people in the country … Our roads are a disgrace.

The community is clear: appropriate change that goes beyond a wire rope barrier must be made before more lives are lost on this stretch of the Princes Highway.