Breens Road resident Russell Jackman, left, and Casey councillor Kevin Bradford say speed calming devices and additional lighting need to be installed in the drag racing hot spot.
By Kelly Yates
BREENS Road residents are breathing a sigh of relief after Casey Council passed a motion to investigate reports of hooning and drag racing along the two-kilometre speeding hot spot in Cranbourne.
City of Casey officers are expected to recommend speed calming devices and additional lighting along Breens Road when they report back to the civic centre next month.
Casey councillor Kevin Bradford successfully put the motion to the council on 6 May after residents complained that living on Breens Road was like living next to an air strip.
Russell Jackman, who lives on the corner of Breens Road and Calais Circuit, said a recent fatal crash along the road highlighted the need for the council to take immediate action.
“I get nervous whenever I see a car coming around the corner,” he said.
“Drivers don’t realise how the sharp the corner is at the end of Breens Road. It comes as a surprise, even when you’re travelling at the speed limit.”
Mr Jackman initially went to council to express his concerns but was told to just sit and wait.
“We’ve had enough. Council needs to work out whose responsibility it is – traffic management or council,” he said.
Mr Jackman is pleased Cr Bradford is taking on the issue, but believes the hooning is taking place because of the surrounding vacant land.
“People think they can’t be seen. But we can see them, all right,” he said.
Mr Jackman is calling for ‘snake’ islands to be introduced as opposed to regular speed humps.
“These drivers need to be diverted so they have to slow down. The snake islands are the best,” he said.
Cr Bradford agreed and said the diversion technique had proven to be effective in Casey.
“Drivers must slow down when they come to the island,” he said.
“If they don’t, they could take out the traffic island or severely damage their car.”
Cr Bradford also raised the issue of poor lighting down the road.
“There needs to be more street lights down Breens Road,” he said.
“Even though at this stage the area isn’t overly populated, the rate new homes are popping up means we can be proactive in solving the problem.”
