Wednesday, 13 March 2019

Garfield residents and visitors will have a safer drive into town, with the Andrews Labor Government set to start work on upgrades at the town’s main road entrances.

Entrances to the town will be upgraded with new signage and pavement markings along Nar Nar Goon-Longwarry Road.

Nar Nar Goon-Longwarry Road passes directly through Garfield’s community centre and is used by more than 2,200 drivers each day.

These upgrades will make sure drivers are aware that they’re entering a township with reduced speed limits.

Evidence shows that these upgrades signpost a change in speed for drivers, increase alertness and improve road safety for regional communities.

These treatments are already in use around New Zealand and have been shown to reduce crashes by up to 35 per cent.

Garfield, along with Koo Wee Rup, Pearcedale and Yarra Glen, are the first towns in Victoria to receive this new safety treatment, with works to start this month.

As part of the safety package, more than 100 ‘gateway’ locations will be rolled out across the state in the coming months. The program will largely focus on upgrading towns with 500 to 5,000 people.

The $8 million package of safety upgrades is part of the Labor Government’s $1.4 billion Towards Zero Action Plan, delivered in partnership between the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) and VicRoads.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

“These small changes will make a big difference to Garfield – boosting the safety of drivers, cyclists and pedestrians across the community.”

“We’re getting on with the job of delivering these upgrades that will help make sure drivers are aware of the reduced speed limit when travelling through our regional townships.”

Quotes attributable to Scott Lawrence, Director Safe System Infrastructure Program, VicRoads

“Community gateway treatments are already in use in New Zealand and have been shown to reduce crashes significantly, a result we hope to emulate here in Victoria.”

Quotes attributable to TAC Road Safety Director Samantha Cockfield

“We’re creating a more forgiving road network by investing in infrastructure projects such as community gateway treatments that will help make regional roads users safer.”