By Bonny Burrows
Residents of Pakenham’s Main Street Village have called for upgrades to the road because they fear a fatal accident is imminent.
Village residents Laszlo and Brigitte Sinclair are two of 23 occupants who have signed a petition calling for the enforcement of the road’s speed limit and implementation of a one-way street on the busy Pakenham road.
There is currently no pedestrian crossing or traffic signals alerting motorists of the retirement village and the couple said residents were scared to cross the street due to the sheer volume of traffic and their aging bodies.
“We can’t do what younger people do. We’re not just going to quickly dash across the road, our reflex, eyesight and co-ordination is diminished,” Mr Sinclair said.
“It’s a split second decision you need to make and if you get it wrong, you can pay for it with your life.”
Residents who do drive would like to see a clearway opposite the facility’s driveway so they can pull out safely “without having to try and see past parked cars”.
Mr Sinclair described the cars parked like “cans of sardines”.
“They’re all parked up against each other, and you can’t see coming out of the driveway,” he said.
“We aren’t telling council what do to, but what we’re saying is there’s a problem, please do something before someone gets hurt.”
Cardinia Shire Council Manager of Infrastructure Services Andrew Barr said as the main access point to the shopping centre, Main Street, Pakenham, experiences high volumes of traffic, about 9000 vehicles per day.
“Due to its relatively short length, this collector road is signed at 50km/h and given the high volumes of traffic, it would not be suited to a one-way traffic arrangement,” Mr Barr said.
“At present, there are no plans for a pedestrian crossing at the retirement village location mentioned.”
Mr Barr said the facility’s developer was required to undertake “certain works” on the road relating to minimum requirements for access and parking under its planning permit, including line marking and parking restrictions.
“Council has not received any complaints regarding parking and traffic safety concerns at the retirement facility since it was opened,” he said.
“However, issues relating to the developer’s non-compliance with the requirements of the planning permit have now been referred onto council’s planning enforcement team for further consideration.”
