Welcome to Coburg North – Ending the Dangerous Drift from ‘Activity Street’ to Race Track

Murray Rd (named Gaffney St in the west and Southern Rd in the far east) runs parallel to Bell St in Melbourne’s north and links Pascoe Vale with Heidelberg.

The stretch between Gilbert Rd, Preston and the Upfield Path at Batman Station, Coburg North is unusually dangerous for all road users. It contains four undivided 60kmh lanes (two in each direction), with curves and undulations which contribute to it being one of the most dangerous roads in Melbourne’s north per vehicle kilometre.

The main reason we believe it’s so dangerous for all users is the decision to move from 2 to 4 lanes in 2011. The then Department of Transport claimed this was due to ‘concerns about driver behaviour, specifically instances of drivers overtaking on the left’. However, an FOI request and other liaison with the department shows no road safety assessment, consultation with Council or other stakeholders, nor other analysis was undertaken at the time or subsequently.

Read the report here.