Discussing future traffic management in the Enterprise Avenue Clyde Road precinct. From left, Berwick Village Chamber of Commerce president Michael Hall, Leader of the Opposition Ted Baillieu, Liberal candidate for Gembrook Simon Wildes and Springfield Ward councillor Lorraine Wreford.By Jim Mynard
LIBERAL candidate for Gembrook Simon Wildes has invited people to support efforts to have the Enterprise Avenue Clyde Road precinct upgraded.
Mr Wildes said he had established a web site www.fixclyderoad.com.au where people could see ways they could help.
He also invited Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu to inspect the area last Friday.
Mr Wildes and Berwick Village Chamber of Commerce president Michael Hall took the opportunity to lobby Mr Baillieu for a commitment to eliminate the area’s traffic gridlock.
Mr Hall said the intersection needed traffic signals in the short term and a longterm strategy for the wider precinct that should involve undergrounding the Berwick railway station and railway line.
Meanwhile, Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato said her top priority was funding for traffic signals at the intersection.
Ms Lobato said she was also seeking measures to address the longerterm requirements to improve the road.
“This would involve road duplication and separation,” she said.
“VicRoads has plans to fully develop this project, but I am lobbying to see initial scoping works for this major project commence shortly.”
Mr Hall, who has insisted that undergrounding the rail system was the best option, said it would provide an extensive area of land that could be sold to pay for the work.
He said the available real estate would enable proper planning of a road system.
“Traders in enterprise Avenue are struggling at a disadvantage because many people will not drive into the area.
“Some delivery drivers have restricted the times they will deliver into Enterprise Avenue,” he said.
Mr Hall said there were 2000 jobs in the Enterprise Avenue precinct that should be protected.
“We have asked Monash University for temporary access through its traffic light system, but this was denied because of danger to students.”
He said a suggested underpass or overpass of the railway line across Clyde Road would not work because it could not include access to Enterprise Avenue.
Mr Hall stressed to Mr Baillieu that if something was not done in the area it could mean someone being killed in the traffic chaos.
Mr Baillieu said the matter was a growth issue and that a feasibility study was needed for the area.
He said he would see that the area went on a list of projects the government should address.
Mr Hall said 40,000 people would soon move into the area south west of Berwick Village and this meant serious planning was needed now.
“The chamber is pleased about the web site and hoped people would use it,” he said.
“The problem is, however, that we are tired of the talk and want lights at the intersection while a feasibility study is conducted.
“We would be a lot happier if we could hear a commitment to having traffic signals installed at that intersection.”
Ms Lobato said her government was committed to improving and upgrading key routes in the outer suburbs and that $110 million was provided for this in the current budget.
“Given the importance of this road, I am very confident that on the basis of measurable factors, and with the continual feedback I am providing to the minister, this intersection will have traffic lights installed as part of this road funding to the outer suburbs.”
