Casey councillor Amanda Stapledon with Barry Rodgers and Cheryl Macintyre, from Dandenong Cranbourne RSL are hoping VicRoads will construct a deceleration lane near the Cranbourne RSL after the RSL offered to contribute $50,000.
By Bridget Cook
66369 Picture: Donna Oates
THE Dandenong Cranbourne RSL has offered to contribute $50,000 to fix a dangerous intersection to ensure better safety for its members.
For the past couple of years, the RSL, with the help of the City of Casey, has been calling on VicRoads to fund and construct a left-hand turning lane to the service road to the Cranbourne RSL from the South Gippsland Highway.
There is currently no deceleration lane, so drivers are forced to make the turn from an 80 kilometre per hour road.
So far VicRoads has not agreed to install the safety improvement.
At last week’s Casey council meeting, councillor Amanda Stapledon proposed that the council acts on the letter written by Dandenong Cranbourne RSL Sub-Branch, which offered to contribute $50,000 towards the cost of construction of a deceleration lane.
The council also resolved to write to VicRoads asking that it reconsider the construction of this vital piece of road safety infrastructure in light of the RSL’s offer to make a contribution.
“I just hope that VicRoads will consider this very generous offer in an attempt to address the very serious traffic issue that is there,” she said.
Casey councillor Simon Curtis said while he agreed action needed to be taken, he though it was wrong the RSL needed to make the contribution to ensure the safety of its members.
“I think it would be criminal for VicRoads to accept the money and take that amount of money from a not-for-profit organisation,” he said.
Speaking to the News earlier this year when the RSL renewed calls for the deceleration lane, Cranbourne Dandenong RSL sub-branch senior vice-president Barry Jones said many members of the RSL were concerned.
“A lot of members have told me about their experience coming to the RSL,” he said.
“The traffic is going very fast and all of a sudden you have to make a left turn.
“With the traffic behind you, this can be very difficult. This doesn’t only affect the RSL, but the service road also feeds to factories and businesses.
“I have seen many near accidents, myself included.”
VicRoads Metro South East Regional Director Duncan Elliott said improvements, such as turning lanes leading into private property, were considered the responsibility of the property owner.
“Therefore, Cranbourne RSL is responsible for financing and delivering this as a developer funded project,” he said.
Mr Elliott said VicRoads was aware that the RSL was prepared put forward $50,000 for this purpose.
“VicRoads is now reviewing the estimate and will work with Cranbourne RSL and Casey Council to assist with the developer funded project process,” he said.
