By Jessica Anstice
A massive pit in the ground has been formed at a popular Pakenham roundabout as a result of heavy vehicles cutting the corner.
Trucks turning left from Bald Hill Road onto Healesville-Kooweerup Road are mounting the curb causing a decent sized ditch between the curb and the grass.
Pakenham motorist, David Connor, said the issue has been ongoing for a very long time.
“As the heavy vehicles are cutting the corner and trenching it out, they’re spreading sand and dirt all the way down Kooweerup Road,” he said.
“The turning lane that goes into McDonalds is covered in crap and it’s all from that corner.
“I’m not talking a little pothole – these things fill up with water and it’s quite significant.”
When Mr Connor initially noticed the problem, he contacted Cardinia Shire Council and claimed they told him it was VicRoads’ responsibility.
He then contacted VicRoads who allegedly told him it was a matter for the council.
“First I sent a request off to Cardinia Council for them to send someone down, have a look at it and fix it,” he recalled.
“Ideally, they would want to put concrete down because heavy vehicles are always going to want to cut that corner.
“Subsequent to that, they came back to me and said ‘no, this is not our responsibility’ and suggested this is a VicRoads road problem.”
After not being able to resolve which organisation is responsible, Mr Connor decided to take the matter to La Trobe MP Jason Wood – who suggested he contacts Eastern Victoria MP Edward O’Donohue.
Mr Connor is still awaiting a response from Mr O’Donohue’s office.
“I got frustrated because no one wanted to come to the party,” he said.
“I don’t want to get involved with politics because at the end of the day I just want someone to go down there and fix it.
“It has been going on for a very long time and I just want it to be fixed, once and for all.”
According to the Department of Transport, Healesville-Kooweerup Road is managed by the department while Bald Hill Road is managed by Cardinia Shire Council.
However this particular section of Bald Hill Road is managed by VicRoads.
“We are aware of the damage at the intersection of Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road and Bald Hill Road in Pakenham – we will inspect the site in the coming days and will prioritise repair works to keep the road safe,” a Department of Transport spokesperson said.
Cardinia Council has already inspected the site to assess any immediate road safety management issues and has since forwarded the matter to VicRoads.
