Sue Atkinson is calling for speed limits along McGregor Road to be lowered so residents can cross safely. 26253 Picture: Meagan Rogers
By Melissa Grant
A PAKENHAM woman is calling for speed limits along the northern end of McGregor Road to be reduced as children prepare to head back to school.
Sue Atkinson says the road’s 70km/h zone is too high, particularly near the school pedestrian crossing.
“It really scares me, the speed limit along here,” she said.
“I think it should be 60km/h all the time. A school zone would (also) be helpful.
“I hate seeing little kids hurt.”
Motorists would be required to travel at 40km/h or less from 8am to 9.30am and 2.30pm to 4pm if a school speed zone was installed. The regular speed limit would apply outside of these times.
Mrs Atkinson, who lives in Henty Park estate, said she had contacted both the Cardinia Shire Council and VicRoads asking for the speed limit to be lowered.
“We have been asking council and VicRoads since the freeway (bypass) opened,” he said.
“They keep passing the buck.”
Graham Clarke, acting regional director of VicRoads’ metro south-east region said McGregor Road was the responsibility of the Cardinia Shire Council.
He said an application from the council had to be received before a change in speed limit was considered.
Mr Clarke said access to the school must open onto the road for a school speed zone to be implemented.
“In the case of McGregor Road, there is no access or frontage from Pakenham Springs Primary School onto the road,” he said.
Cardinia Shire Council communications manager Paul Dunlop said the duplication of McGregor Road was a key part of the council’s commitment to improve safety for motorists and pedestrians in this area.
He said pedestrians would be able to cross McGregor Road when traffic lights were installed at Webster Way as part of the duplication, expected to be finished in May.
