MOMENTUM is gaining for an upgrade to a notoriously ‘‘dangerous’’ intersection in Ringwood.
Last month the Weekly reported on local resident Shannon Preston’s push for an upgrade to the intersection of Bedford Road and Great Ryrie Street in Ringwood.
Ms Preston raised her concerns for public safety, calling for traffic lights to be installed.
Since then, the case for an upgrade has been building. Maroondah councillor Ann Fraser has arranged a meeting between the four principals of the schools in the area — Great Ryrie Primary, Ringwood Secondary College, Aquinas College and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Primary School.
The principals also sent joint letters to Bayswater MP Heidi Victoria and Maroondah Council chief executive officer Frank Dixon.
Ms Preston has created a petition that is being circulated around the schools’ offices and at businesses along Bedford and Canterbury roads.
She said she was pleased with the progress so far but wants people to continue to voice their concerns.
‘‘It feels fantastic to get the local support. But we’ve only got 100 signatures so far, which is not enough — we need thousands.’’
Ms Preston said she remains ‘‘as passionate as ever’’ about the cause. ‘‘It is not something you can ignore once you have been notified about it.’’
Both roads are under the care and management of Maroondah council and previous applications to the federal government for black spot funding have been unsuccessful.
The council has supported the push for traffic lights but says the proximity to the railway line would mean the cost would be very high — around the $1 million mark.
The petition calls for funding assistance to be made available to council.
Ms Preston said any groups, businesses, schools, sports clubs or residents who would like a copy of the petition to collect signatures could email her at mspreston2@telstra.com.