By Bridget Cook
RESIDENTS and the City of Casey are stepping up their drive for safety improvements in Cranbourne High Street.
After the Cranbourne Bypass being knocked back on numerous occasions, the council is again calling on VicRoads to take other measures in Cranbourne to ensure the safety of residents.
At a recent Casey council meeting, the council resolved to write to VicRoads seeking a permanent 50 kilometre per hour zone through the town centre, which they have done before.
In the past, the council has also called on VicRoads to extend the time of the pedestrian crossing lights to give residents, particularly the elderly and disabled, more time to cross the road safely.
There is a history of pedestrian collisions in the town centre, with three casualty collisions involving pedestrians between Stawell and Sladen streets in the five years before 31 December 2010.
City of Casey councillor Amanda Stapledon said the safety of pedestrians in the High Street precinct was of the utmost importance to the council.
“We are working to ensure shoppers, particularly older residents and people with a disability, can cross High Street confidently and safely,” she said.
“Council has written to VicRoads on a number of occasions regarding safety concerns in High Street. VicRoads have advised they do not support a part time shopping centre speed limit reduction, nor does VicRoads support the extension of the pedestrian crossing times.
“This needs to change and I will continue to lobby VicRoads for an increase in the length of time given to pedestrians using the pedestrian signals to cross High Street and a permanent reduction in speed limit to 50km/h on High Street.”
Cranbourne resident of more than 50 years, Bette Clydesdale, said something needed to be done in High Street. “Ideally we all want a bypass,” she said.
“We’ve got an enormous amount of traffic going through the town.
“We always seem to be the last town recognised.
“Pakenham’s got a bypass, Berwick’s got a bypass, why not Cranbourne?”
“Until then, I think it would be reasonable to reduce the speed to 50km/h.”
VicRoads Metro South East Regional Director Duncan Elliot said VicRoads was aware of concerns raised by the community regarding speed limits and pedestrian needs on High Street.
“VicRoads has established guidelines to ensure consistent application of speed limits across the state,” he said.
“Speed limits on arterial roads may be reduced to 50km/h where there is significant and continuous retail activity and where people cross the road frequently.
“VicRoads is currently completing a holistic review of Victoria’s Speed Zone Guidelines to make speed limits simpler, more consistent and easier to understand for all Victorians.
“Following completion of the guidelines, VicRoads will consider proposals to reduce the speed limit on High Street in consultation with the City of Casey and local police.
Mr Elliot said the pedestrian operated signals in the town centre will be reviewed to help the needs of elderly and disabled people.
