By Jessica Anstice
Motorists are raging over “poor” traffic management at a construction site in Pakenham’s Arden Estate.
The construction site of 12 townhouses along Gallery Way has allegedly caused multiple collisions, near misses, garbage trucks failing to empty bins and blocked driveways.
Frustrated residents say the construction vehicles blocking the road are to blame.
“The parking around the construction has become a nightmare to navigate on a daily basis,” Arden Estate resident Kelly Whittenbury said.
“You have to crawl through a huge line of cars that are parked on the bend including trucks that have pulled over right in front of the site and blocked off the entire road.
“I have been blocked off seven times. It’s becoming a massive inconvenience to the residents and the tradies do not appear to care about the problems they are causing.”
The traffic chaos caused major distress to a pregnant resident who was, at the time, in labour.
The woman attempted to leave her house for the hospital, but was unable to due to a truck “half hanging” over her driveway and another truck parked directly opposite.
Arden Estate resident Nisarg Modi took to Facebook, posting dash cam footage of a truck reversing a substantial length of the narrow road, forcing him to back down the road.
“It has become trouble for residents as there is no traffic management organised by developer,” Mr Modi explained.
“My neighbour’s car was hit by a tradie while reversing. It’s on a bend as well, which makes it a blind spot.
“A council inspector came once during lunch time. So no one was around.”
One motorist said she was “shocked” at how difficult it was to manoeuvre past the construction site.
“I went to visit a friend there last week and was shocked at how hard it was to get through without damaging my car,” Amy Fussell said.
“A fire truck would struggle to get through there.”
Nearby resident Sharon Kloester Park has taken to driving a different way to exit Gallery Way.
“Often work cars are lined up before and after the work site and it’s always a tight squeeze through,” Ms Kloester Park said.
“A friend came to visit and had to park and walk around the corner to our house because the road was blocked by workers cars and construction equipment.
“I understand that the work needs to be done and that the equipment is required to do the job but would appreciate keeping the roads more clear for residents by perhaps parking on one side of the road either before or after the site.”
Cardinia Shire Council has been contacted for comment.
