Voices are raised for speed limit changes

By Kath Gannaway
UPPER Yarra Community Voice is pushing for clear speed limits to be set on the car park at the Yarra Centre and on the adjoining access roads.
It is also lobbying the council to push VicRoads for a reduction on the speed limit on Warburton Highway near the intersection of Corduroy Road at the entrance to the town.
Voice chairperson Glennice Mathers said the Yarra Junction community group had written to the Shire of Yarra Ranges in an effort to have a number of issues around safety in the township addressed.
“There are no speed limit signs at all in and around the Yarra Centre and the adjoining recreation reserve to restrict people to a safe speed,” Ms Mathers said.
Ms Mathers said some drivers seem to think the 50 kilometre highway speed limit through the town also applies to those areas.
“People tear through the car park and it’s just a matter of time before someone is hurt,” she said.
“There are children coming across from the skate park and coming out of the pool and other sporting events at the centre who need to be able to cross safely to the cars parked there,” she said.
Ms Mathers said people also ignore the one way arrows, clearly indicated on the roadway, creating a further hazard to unsuspecting drivers and pedestrians.
“Walking pace would be the sensible speed in this type of area and we will be pushing for action to be taken on this very quickly.”
Voice has also asked the shire for a reduction of the 80 kilometre speed limit on Warburton Highway near the intersection of Corduroy and Barak roads to 50 kilometres an hour.
“The speed limit changes to 50 just a 100 metres up the road near the school and it would make sense to have that limit brought further back,” Ms Mathers said.
“You have elderly and disabled people trying to cross on scooters, bike riders and walkers coming off the rail trail, the bus stop just nearby and both Corduroy and Barak roads coming in at that point.
“This has become more of a residential type community around there and the highway speed is just not safe any more.”
Voice has also requested the shire look at the resurfacing of the access road in front of the tennis courts and the senior citizens hall and at erecting lighting in the Yarra Centre car park.
“We understand that council is not an endless pit of money but there are a number of improvements which need to be made in the township and we are very keen to work with council to achieve them,” Ms Mathers said.