Tragic ending on rough surface

By Russell Bennett
FEARFUL Cockatoo residents have called for safety upgrades to Pakenham and Alexander roads, a month after local teen Tom Chernishoff was killed in a crash.
And late last week, VicRoads and Cardinia Shire Council both responded – telling the Mail that upgrade works on the road could start as early as today (23 August).
Cockatoo man Adrian Dowell said it was “only a matter of time” before he came to grief on the stretch of road heading to, and including the Alexander Road corner.
“I believe the road conditions may have contributed to (Tom’s) death,” Mr Dowell said. “The road surface may have been the straw that broke the camel’s back.”
Mr Dowell said VicRoads was aware the intersection was dangerous in September last year, but had not yet done anything about it. “I don’t know how much more I can push VicRoads on this,” he said. “This has been on the backburner for far too long now.”
He also said the council had already allocated money for sealing the troublesome Alexander Road entrance on to Pakenham Road, but no work had yet started.
But VicRoads regional director Patricia Liew told the Mail the road was “scheduled for resurfacing” as soon as November this year.
“In the meantime, the 70 km/h speed limit will be reduced temporarily to 60km/h in the vicinity of the intersection, effective from Tuesday 23 August,” she said. “This reduced limit will remain in place until the road is resurfaced.”
Ms Liew said VicRoads would install additional warning signs, advising motorists of the” rough road surface” near the intersection.
Cockatoo crossing guard Deb Peachey was involved in a horrific smash on the road about a year ago, when her ute hit a lamp post. “It was an attempted overtake (by the other car),” she said. “It collected me, and I hit the lamp post.”
She said the road was in desperate need of imp-roved signage, and the patched-up surface could have contributed to Mr Chernishoff’s death.
“The lumps on the road are like going over speed humps,” she said. “Especially, if you’re headed towards Pakenham.”
Ms Peachey said: “I hope there’s no other serious accidents there, but there’s been mine and a fatality both in the last 12 months”.
Cardinia Shire spokes-man Paul Dunlop said any accident on any road in the shire was of concern to the council.
“Council is taking appropriate action to improve the condition of Alexander Road in Cockatoo,” Mr Dunlop said.
“The construction and sealing of a bell mouth at the intersection of Alexander and Pakenham roads will occur this financial year as part of the council’s capital works program,” he said.