Cranbourne Bypass needed for town

By Bridget Cook
CASEY Council and VicRoads are still in disagreement over the need of a Cranbourne Bypass to divert heavy traffic away from the town centre.
Last week, the council fine-tuned its list of projects it believed the state should deliver to maintain and improve living standards in Casey. And on that list is the delivery of the first stage of the Cranbourne Bypass – duplication of Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road from Linsell Boulevard to Sladen Street.
City of Casey chief executive Mike Tyler said the bypass was a high priority for the council.
However, Acting VicRoads Regional Director Metropolitan South East Frank De Santis said there were no plans to construct a Cranbourne bypass.
“Following recommendations from the Cranbourne Township Bypass Study, VicRoads has been progressively implementing capacity and safety improvements along Clyde Road/Berwick-Cranbourne Road/Clyde Five Ways Road to cater for regional through traffic and, in particular, heavy trucks and buses,” he said.
“It was recognised that removing this traffic from the Cranbourne town centre would considerably improve its amenity.”
At a council meeting his month, councillors also voted to talk to VicRoads and state politicians to discuss the benefits of a Cranbourne Bypass, as noted in the Cranbourne Bypass Social Impact Assessment (SIA).
The SIA results led to calls from councillors for the bypass to be built to direct heavy traffic away from High Street, Cranbourne, and call for alternative signage on the Monash Freeway and Thompson Road to re-direct trucks.
Casey councillor Amanda Stapledon said a Cranbourne Bypass had been sought by the Cranbourne community for more than 30 years.
She said a bypass would benefit the community in many ways including allowing a relaxed and pleasant strip-shopping experience and for cafes and restaurants to establish a friendly and relaxed outdoor entertaining area.