Give us turning rights!

It’s a matter of time before the Montague St Bridge claims another victim according to one local resident, but this time it won’t be a red-faced truck driver under the infamous overpass.

Instead, it will be from right-turning motorists having to chance their arm at an intersection where the bridge almost completely blocks their view.

Brian Kelly, the owners’ corporation chair of the 20-unit building on the corner of Montague and Woodgate St (where drivers are turning out of), said the long-standing issue had caused locals to completely avoid the intersection.

One resident was inches from being struck by a car on the 60kmh section of Montague St.

“She’s gone to do a right-hand turn out of here and just missed being hit by another vehicle, so she’s terrified,” Mr Kelly said.

“She goes right round the other way, which I do as well and what most people do. Even turning left. My wife won’t turn left.”

The bridge obstructs the view of oncoming traffic and drivers are forced to edge onto the left-hand lane of Montague St to check whether it is safe to proceed.

Mr Kelly contacted Port Phillip Council requesting the installation of “keep clear” markings and was mystified when it denied the intersection posed a safety risk.

“I thought they would take a good look at this scenario and maybe say ‘yeah you’re right but there’s nothing we can do’. But to say it’s not a health and safety issue as far as they’re concerned, that doesn’t ring true to me,” he said.

The letter from the council, seen by Southbank Local News, states that under VicRoads guidelines, “keep clear” markings should be installed when there are “operational and safety benefits of major road traffic” and “where the intersection regularly needs to be clear for right-turning vehicles from a major road into a side road”.

In its view, the intersection did not fit this criteria.

“As far as I’m concerned it’s a health and safety issue and until the day someone actually gets cleaned up, (the council) will be on notice because I’ve got a letter saying it’s not an issue,” Mr Kelly said.

He said that, in his two years on the OC committee, residents had consistently raised this as an ongoing issue.

The garage entrance/exit for all residents in his building is just 20 metres from the intersection.

Cars travelling faster than the mandatory 60kmh on Montague St especially posed a risk, Mr Kelly said, exposing motorists who edge onto the road to more harm.

“For as long as I’ve been here we’ve heard complaints about it.”

“This is a bit of a drag strip too. During off-peak times, it’s common to see cars tearing along here.”