Templestowe students forced to dodge traffic near Williamsons Rd bus stop

Dozens of students who use the bus stop near the intersection of Williamsons and Serpells Rd are unable to legally cross the four lanes directly opposite the stop because no pedestrian crossing exists.

Traffic lights have been installed in both directions to service the MFB fire station at the intersection.

Nearby resident and mother Teresa Frangiosa said she knew of dozens of children, including her boys, who were forced to dodge the traffic to get home each day.

She said the situation was potentially an “accident waiting to happen”.

“They have to cross Williamsons Rd to go home during peak hours and cars are just flying up the road,” she said.

“It is potentially dangerous and these kids are only about 10 years old.”

According to VicRoads accident data, a pedestrian injured after being struck by a car at the intersection on October 8 last year.

Ms Frangiosa said she had unsuccessfully lobbied VicRoads to get a pedestrian crossing installed.

“All I’m asking for is two buttons and two white lines to be painted,” she said.

“It’s that simple.”

The nearest pedestrian crossing from the bus stop requires people to walk more than half a kilometre to finish on the opposite side of the road from the bus stop.

Menzies federal Liberal MP Kevin Andrews has also written to VicRoads to highlight the issue.

“This is a serious traffic safety issue facing the local community that needs to be rectified,” he told Leader.

“A good option could be adding a pedestrian crossing to the existing fire station lights.”

VicRoads acting metro east transport and planning director Savoula Lidis said the roads authority was investigating the possibility of installing a pedestrian crossing alongside the existing traffic lights, which were installed for and funded by the Metropolitan Fire Brigade.

“This section of Manningham Rd is generally a safe environment for pedestrians, with a pedestrian refuge located on the Williamsons Rd centre median at the intersection of Serpells Rd,” she said.