THE father of a man struck and killed by a car in Lygon St has called for

VicRoads to receive a ministerial kick up the backside.

Mark Cooper, whose son Damian was killed crossing the busy Carlton strip

in January 2007, has hit out at VicRoads for failing to install illuminated

speed signs telling drivers to slow to 40km/h.

Roads Minister Tim Pallas announced early last year that the speed limit

would be reduced as a safety measure in the wake of the tragedy at the

Elgin St intersection.

An email between Melbourne Council and a Carlton Police officer shows that

VicRoads had committed to installing the lit signs by October last year.

“It really is up to the Minister (Mr Pallas) to give VicRoads a good kick up

the backside because every night that the signs aren’t in place is another

opportunity for tragedy,” Mr Cooper said. “Even last night I dropped my

daughter off in Elgin St and there were police with cars pulled up, so it’s

obvious people aren’t obeying the speed limits - and the reason for that is

because drivers just can’t see the (existing) signs at night.”

Mr Cooper has written to Mr Pallas demanding the signs be erected

immediately.

“We have won one battle, and in remembrance of Damo, Lygon St is now

safer for all concerned ... but our battle is still not over,” Mr Cooper said in

the email.

“(Melbourne Council) has put in beautiful pink and green electronic signs

depicting an angel along the centre of Lygon St (so) if they can do this what

is VicRoads’ excuse now?” he added.

A spokeswoman for Mr Pallas said the Minister was on holidays and had not

seen the email.

More than 100 of Damian’s family and friends last week gathered at a

Carlton pub to honour the second anniversary of the 26-year-old’s death.