Above: Concerned residents of Huxtable Road, Pakenham Upper, met with Cardinia Shire councillor Bill Pearson to discuss options for the future of the road.
By Elizabeth Lillis
PAKENHAM Upper residents are concerned about the condition of Huxtable Road following a fatality on the unsealed road in early December.
Last Friday, more than 10 residents who live on or near the road met with Cardinia Shire councillor Bill Pearson to explain their concerns about the increased traffic flow and the condition of the rural road.
Pakenham Upper resident Nick Weekes said he felt the road had become a thoroughfare with traffic increasing considerably over the past 10 years.
Many of the residents would like the road sealed, or at least regular dust suppressant and grading work carried out.
A 24yearold Pakenham Upper woman was killed when she lost control of her car travelling along Huxtable Road and hit a tree near Hoyles Road last month.
The crash has raised the concerns of residents who live along the road.
Nola MacKinlay, who lives a short distance from the crash site, said she felt the roads condition was getting worse.
“I’ve lived here for 23 years and have only very rarely seen a grader on the road,” she said.
Cr Pearson said it appeared the road, like many in the shire, had a lot more traffic on it.
Mr Weekes said the increased patronage of Pakenham Upper Horse and Pony Club meant more traffic was using the road.
“The tradies are also using it as a shortcut to Emerald rather than using the Gembrook Road, which has a lower speed limit,” he said.
Mr Weekes said the road also had a fourtonne load limit signed on it, but this was often ignored.
Huxtable Road has a 100km/h limit.
Fellow resident Andrew Helps said he often witnessed cars speeding past his property.
“I often see cars go the wrong way up the oneway section of the road at high speed,” he said.
Huxtable Road between Belvedere Close and Bayard Road is a divided road.
Residents at the roadside meeting felt the speed limit needed to be reduced and the road needed to be graded more regularly.
“I’ve lived here over 20 years and the road is getting busy and its condition is getting worse,” said Kim Everitt.
Mrs Everitt said she was concerned more accidents could occur.
Cr Pearson said he would request traffic counters be placed on the road to monitor traffic and speed.
He told the residents to put their concerns in writing to the council so he could raise problems with staff and other councillors.
