‘Something must be done’

By Rebecca Fraser
LOCAL traders and a Hampton Park widow have branded a notorious Hallam intersection a death trap following a serious collision on Monday.
But this is not the first time that people have expressed concern over the intersection at Empire Way and Hallam Road.
In February the stretch of road claimed the life of 42yearold father of two Colin Cartmill from Hampton Park and local traders and his grieving wife have now said that enough is enough.
The latest incident occurred shortly after 10.30am on Monday when two cars, a sedan and a Daewoo hatch, collided.
An elderly Endeavour Hills man was conveyed to The Alfred hospital and an elderly woman and a young male driver from Hampton Park were transported to Dandenong Hospital.
Lynda Cartmill said the intersection urgently needed lights and she could not believe that there had been another serious accident since her husband’s death.
“Eight months later I just cannot believe that nothing has been done.
“I tell you what it (the intersection) is — it is just shocking.
“My daughter goes to dancing four or five times a week near there and we drive past the pole.
“This really brings it home and for God’s sake something must be done,” she said.
Yvette Crawford has worked at ProAm Swimwear in Hallam for three years and said she had heard and witnessed numerous collisions.
“My 17yearold son came in to work with me one day and ended up pulling people out of wreckage with a crow bar.
“Even the hardened guys that come along with the tow trucks can’t believe the carnage.
“To see these guys affected by it when they come and see these accidents all the time really says something.
“It has to stop,” she said.
Graham Jameson has owned Holgold Country in Hallam Road for 12 years and said he stopped counting the number of accidents some years ago.
“It has to be one of the worst intersections out.
“How many people have to get injured or killed before something is done.
“They can’t leave the intersection like this.
“Lights or a roundabout would be good and you’ve only got to look at the road to realise it needs duplication,” he said.
Michele Kren of Repco in Hallam said she had witnessed many accidents over the past three years and that urgent attention was needed.
“I have seen a Land Cruiser roll over twice and end up on its side and I have seen all sorts of vehicles involved in accidents.
“I even saw one roll up onto the hill on the corner.
“People coming down from the top of the hill can’t see cars until it is too late.
“There needs to be a speed sign or a cut in speed so that people get into the habit of slowing down,” she said.
VicRoads regional manager Steve Brown said he was aware of the history of casualty crashes at the intersection.
“A proposal for signals at this location is currently being developed and may be submitted for funding consideration in a future works program.
“There are currently no immediate plans for the duplication of Hallam South Road, south of Princes Highway.
However, the future duplication is recognised as an important project to improve safety and capacity.
“The need for improvements to Hallam Road has been identified and the timing of any works will depend on their relative priority compared with the many other proposals competing for funding across the state,” he said.