Urgent Safety Upgrades Sought for Newham’s Deadly Intersection 2026

Key Points

• Newham residents are demanding urgent safety improvements at the Egans Lane intersection on Three Chain Road to prevent further tragedies.
• A fatal collision earlier this month at the intersection claimed the life of a Macedon Ranges man and injured another individual.
• Police are still investigating the cause of the crash, but locals describe the spot as a longstanding danger due to poor visibility at the base of a hill.
• Three Chain Road carries 100km/h traffic and intersects offset with Egans Lane and Dons Road, reducing driver reaction time.
• Nearby residents, including Sue and Steve Branch who have lived there for 45 years, frequently assist at crash scenes by warning traffic, calling emergency services, and even freeing people from vehicles.
• Sue Branch stated: “We hear a bang at the bottom of the hill and we know we have to start slowing traffic down.”
• Sue Branch added: “Our biggest fear is that there would be more people barrelling down the hill. We stop traffic at the top and slow them down so that they are not collecting the accident. We feel like it’s our job now.”
• Sue Branch highlighted: “One of the most dangerous situations at the intersection is when people coming down the hill, wanting to turn onto Dons Road, must stop to give way to oncoming traffic, and if a truck is coming up behind them, then there’s nowhere to go.”
• The road serves as a key transport route linking the Calder to the Hume Highway, with added traffic from school buses, farm machinery, and local drivers.
• The Egans Lane corner doubles as a bus stop for local school children.
• Newham parent Anita La Forgia said: “It was a very scary feeling: sending your children somewhere where it is not safe.”
• Local resident Jo Thompson said: “It’s not just a transport route. I think the speed needs to be reduced to reflect the uses of the road.”
• Jo Thompson continued: “There have been so many accidents but there has been no suitable action to address this.”
• Proposed upgrades include reducing speed limits and installing flashing safety signals east and west of the intersection when vehicles approach.
• Macedon Ranges mayor Cr Kate Kendall said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those affected by the fatal collision in Newham, as well as the broader Macedon Ranges community grieving at this time.”
• Cr Kate Kendall added: “Following this incident, officers have already undertaken further site investigations and continue to review any possible improvements to the intersection.”
• Cr Kate Kendall noted: “Some roads have limitations to further physical improvements due to the pre-existing topography of the roads and vegetation.”
• Cr Kate Kendall stated: “Historically, council officers have reviewed this intersection on multiple occasions and works have occurred in the past to add intersection improvements to both Egans Lane and Dons Road including rumble strips. Intersection warning signage currently exists along Three Chain Road on the east and west approaches.”
• Cr Kate Kendall explained: “Speed limits in Victoria are all governed by the Department of Transport and Planning, and council works with them regularly to assess and determine speeds on council-managed roads.”
• Cr Kate Kendall affirmed: “Council will continue to listen to the community and, where possible, look at future safety improvements and funding opportunities for these.”

Newham, Victoria (East London Times) February 17, 2026 – Residents of Newham are urgently calling for safety upgrades at the notorious Egans Lane intersection on Three Chain Road following a fatal collision earlier this month that killed a Macedon Ranges man and injured another. Locals have long flagged the spot as a high-risk area due to its position at the base of a hill, where 100km/h traffic on Three Chain Road meets Egans Lane and Dons Road with limited visibility and reaction time for drivers. While Victoria Police continue their investigation into the crash, community members report assisting at numerous incidents over the years, highlighting the pressing need for action to avert another tragedy.

What Made the Recent Crash So Deadly?

The fatal collision at the Egans Lane intersection underscores longstanding hazards at this offset crossroads. As reported in coverage of the incident, the crash claimed the life of a man from the Macedon Ranges and left another injured, prompting immediate community response. Residents note that the hill’s descent funnels high-speed vehicles into a tight junction, exacerbating risks when drivers attempt turns onto Dons Road amid oncoming traffic.

Sue and Steve Branch, who have resided at the hilltop for 45 years, described their routine involvement in crash aftermaths. Sue Branch recounted:

“We hear a bang at the bottom of the hill and we know we have to start slowing traffic down.”

Their efforts often involve halting vehicles from above to prevent secondary collisions, a role they feel compelled to fulfil due to inadequate infrastructure.

This incident is not isolated; the Branches and other locals have witnessed countless accidents, reinforcing claims that the intersection demands urgent intervention.

Why Do Residents Feel Compelled to Act as First Responders?

Living in close proximity has turned nearby residents into de facto emergency responders. Sue Branch elaborated on their fears:

“Our biggest fear is that there would be more people barrelling down the hill. We stop traffic at the top and slow them down so that they are not collecting the accident. We feel like it’s our job now.”

In some cases, they have even extricated individuals from wreckage while awaiting professional services.

The topography amplifies dangers, particularly when vehicles descending the hill must yield to oncoming traffic before turning onto Dons Road. Sue Branch pinpointed:

“One of the most dangerous situations at the intersection is when people coming down the hill, wanting to turn onto Dons Road, must stop to give way to oncoming traffic, and if a truck is coming up behind them, then there’s nowhere to go.”

Such scenarios leave drivers vulnerable with no escape route, a recurring issue in past incidents.

Residents’ hands-on involvement speaks to a broader frustration with delayed official responses despite repeated calls for change.

What Role Does Road Usage Play in the Danger?

Three Chain Road’s function as a vital artery connecting the Calder and Hume Highways contributes significantly to the traffic volume. Heavy vehicles, including trucks, share the route with school buses, farm machinery, and growing numbers of local motorists. This mix heightens collision risks at the poorly aligned junction.

Compounding the issue, the corner of Egans Lane serves as a bus stop for school children, placing vulnerable pedestrians near fast-moving traffic. Newham parent Anita La Forgia captured parental anxieties:

“It was a very scary feeling: sending your children somewhere where it is not safe.”

Her sentiment echoes concerns over child safety amid unchecked speeds.

Local resident Jo Thompson emphasised adapting infrastructure to modern usage: “It’s not just a transport route. I think the speed needs to be reduced to reflect the uses of the road.” She further lamented:

“There have been so many accidents but there has been no suitable action to address this,”

pointing to a pattern of inaction.

What Safety Measures Are Residents Proposing?

Community suggestions focus on practical, immediate enhancements. Key proposals include slashing the 100km/h speed limit to better suit the area’s diverse traffic and installing flashing warning signals east and west of the intersection to alert drivers to approaching vehicles. These measures aim to boost visibility and enforce caution without major reconstruction.

Jo Thompson’s call for speed reductions aligns with broader demands to prioritise all road users over through-traffic efficiency. Anita La Forgia’s worries about schoolchildren underscore the need for pedestrian safeguards, potentially including better signage or barriers at the bus stop.

Residents argue these changes are feasible and overdue, given the intersection’s history of incidents.

How Has the Council Responded to Community Concerns?

Macedon Ranges mayor Cr Kate Kendall has acknowledged the tragedy and pledged further scrutiny. She expressed:

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those affected by the fatal collision in Newham, as well as the broader Macedon Ranges community grieving at this time.”

Post-crash, council officers conducted site investigations to explore upgrades.

Cr Kate Kendall outlined challenges: “Some roads have limitations to further physical improvements due to the pre-existing topography of the roads and vegetation.” She detailed prior efforts:

“Historically, council officers have reviewed this intersection on multiple occasions and works have occurred in the past to add intersection improvements to both Egans Lane and Dons Road including rumble strips. Intersection warning signage currently exists along Three Chain Road on the east and west approaches.”

On speed governance, Cr Kate Kendall clarified:

“Speed limits in Victoria are all governed by the Department of Transport and Planning, and council works with them regularly to assess and determine speeds on council-managed roads.”

She committed:

“Council will continue to listen to the community and, where possible, look at future safety improvements and funding opportunities for these,”

signalling potential collaboration ahead.

What Challenges Lie Ahead for Improvements?

Topographical constraints and regulatory hurdles complicate upgrades, as noted by Cr Kate Kendall. Vegetation and hill positioning limit physical alterations, while speed decisions rest with the Department of Transport and Planning. Historical interventions like rumble strips and signage provide a baseline, but residents deem them insufficient against rising traffic.

Funding remains a key barrier; council must secure resources amid competing priorities. Community advocacy, voiced by figures like Sue Branch, Anita La Forgia, and Jo Thompson, could pressure authorities, but sustained pressure is essential.

When Might Changes Happen?

No firm timeline exists, but Cr Kate Kendall’s assurances of ongoing reviews and funding pursuits offer cautious optimism. Police investigations into the fatal crash may yield recommendations influencing council actions. Residents urge swift implementation of flashing signals and speed cuts to safeguard schoolchildren and motorists alike.