Last year the Marshall Liberal Government rejected claims by local residents and transport operators that the Greenock, Moppa South and Samuel Roads intersection in Nuriootpa is not safe and warrants major upgrading.
Sadly, just over a week ago, there was yet another serious crash, this time between a car and a truck, at about 9:20am. According to the The Leader the driver and passenger of the car were taken to hospital for minor injuries.
According to SAPOL statistics there have been 15 vehicle collisions in the past five years.
Member for Light and Duty Member for Schubert Tony Piccolo has repeatedly called on the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Corey Wingard to act before it is too late.
“It is inevitable that more accidents will happen, the government must stop sitting on its hands and act quickly before another crash,” said Mr Piccolo.
Local residents state that trucks using the freight route often do not realise it is an intersection and drive through without giving way to other traffic. It happened again last week.
Late last year the Marshall Liberal Government refused to consider the possible installation of a roundabout or any other improvements at the dangerous intersection.
In response to lobbying from local people led by Mr Neville Linke who lives on the intersection, Transport Minister Corey Wingard visited the intersection earlier this year, but no real action has occurred at the intersection.
Mr Piccolo said the Minister must stop ignoring the views and feedback of local people who have witnessed terrible crashes at the intersection,” said Mr Piccolo.
“Local residents dread this intersection every day, so it needs more than a photo opportunity visit by the Minister to make a difference.”
Mr Piccolo said the local newspaper, The Leader, has done the community a great service on leading the campaign to improve a range of dangerous intersections throughout the Barossa.
Mr Piccolo, who has been working with local resident and business owner Neville Linke, whose property abuts the notorious intersection to lobby for a roundabout said local residents now need The Leader to back local residents and call for a major upgrade of this intersection.
Mr Linke wants to make it quite clear that he is 100% for a roundabout and does not believe improved signage is sufficient to make the intersection safe.
Mr Linke said, “It’s time for the Liberals to stop their spin and take real action.”
“Spin might be norm for North Terrace, but in the Barossa we want less talk and more action.”
“I am very angry that despite all the talk from the Liberals it just turns out to be lip service.”
“We don’t want any more talk, we want a roundabout built now.”
Mr Linke has been fighting for an upgrade for a long time and reaffirmed that the intersection is so tight that there is no margin for error, meaning any crash is ultimately a severe one.
“The intersection is part of the freight vehicle route and B Doubles require more space to turn at the intersection,” he explained.
“I understand the need for a freight vehicle route, but it must be safe for truck drivers and residents who use the intersection to access local schools.”
Mr Linke said the crashes are getting worse as traffic increases at the intersection.
“I don’t want some poor bugger to be killed before the Marshall Liberal Government takes action.”