By Rowan Forster
A Beaconhills College student on a quest to “fix” the Toomuc Valley Road and Princes Highway intersection will take her battle directly to parliament.
Rahmana Basit, soon to begin Year 9, has accrued more than 650 signatures on her online petition as well as hundreds more on a physical copy – which she intends to deliver to the Legislative Assembly.
While her proposal to have traffic lights installed at the thoroughfare has proven to be contentious, the community has praised Rahmana’s proactive efforts.
It comes after a spate of collisions at the Pakenham juncture, one of which resulted in serious injuries.
According to Rahmana, the troublesome intersection has drawn the ire of the school community.
“Everyone at my school was getting really frustrated about this road because it’s such a dangerous road and accidents keep happening,” she told the Gazette.
Rahmana has been tirelessly promoting her petition online and throughout the community.
Copies are being displayed at Beaconhills College, Pakenham Library, Outlook, Great Beginnings Childcare and several local businesses.
Gearing up to 1000 signatures, Rahmana will deliver her petitions to the Bass MP, Jordan Crugnale.
Addressing parliamentarians, the address reads: “The current intersection at Toomuc Valley Road and Princes Highway Pakenham, is very congested, particularly during school peak times and is very dangerous.
“To reduce the risk and amount of accidents, traffic signals are needed urgently to be installed at this intersection.”
The intersection serves as the main carriage way for motorists to access Beaconhills College, Goldcare Retirement Village, large housing estates, a kindergarten and a childcare facility.
While some have rallied behind Rahmana’s push, others remain sceptical that traffic lights would alleviate the issue.
“There’s too many traffic lights along the highway already,” Mike Watters said.
“It’s only going to make people even more impatient.”
For those who have experienced a crash near the intersection, like Deborah, it is an essential upgrade.
“It’s only a matter of time before a tragedy takes place,” she said.
“It’s admirable that a high-school student is tackling the issue.”
