Drivers outraged after 'ridiculous' tree is planted in middle of busy road
Residents of an inner-city Melbourne suburb have been left scratching their heads after a tree was planted in the middle of a street.
The tree on Mater Street in Collingwood has reportedly caused problems in the area among motorists and cyclists alike.
However, the Yarra Council said the tree was planted two years ago in an attempt to calm traffic.
“In order to calm traffic at this location, we extended the kerb outstands and planted trees both in the outstand and in the middle of the road,” a council spokesperson told The Herald Sun.
“This is a greener alternative to using a hard traffic treatment, like a concrete traffic island.”
Resident Rose Bartram told the publication she’s not against the idea of a greener alternative, but is not sure the council had thought it through.
“For now the tree is small enough that it’s not too bad, but what happens when it grows?” she said.
If a driver was to lose their concentration, even briefly, they could easily crash, Ms Bartram continued.
Images of the tree quickly drew attention on Monday morning after it was featured on The Today Show.
“There are two trees in this street and they have been there for close to two years. I’m all for planting trees but not in the middle of the road,” one viewer commented on Facebook.
“It’s an accident waiting to happen!” said another.
“Absolutely ridiculous! Someone with no common sense came up with this stupidity,” a third person chimed in.
It is not the first time a Melbourne council has come under fire for fixing road problems with trees.
In May 2018, residents and motorists in St Kilda were left fuming after a tree was planted in a pot hole on Somerset Street.
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