Parents cannot safely walk their children to school in Taylors Hill because of a lack of pedestrian crossings, a recent traffic survey commissioned by Melton council has revealed.
The council rubber-stamped $95,000 of works to solve traffic issues in Taylors Hill West last month following a $40,000 local area traffic management study into the area. The survey, part of the study, found there were resident concerns about hoons driving up to 100km/h in local streets, parking issues and “irresponsible driving” in eight streets in the area.
It was the council’s first traffic study for the area, which is bounded by Taylors Road, Calder Park Drive, Hume Drive and Gourlay Road.
More than 20 streets could be improved following the study.
The survey revealed a “serious safety issue” for children walking to Taylors Hill Primary School.
One resident felt it was unsafe to walk their children to school because of a lack of pedestrian crossings on Calder Park Drive.
“[There are] safety concerns for children crossing Calder Park Drive,” the survey found. “Traffic lights are suggested to replace the Loddon Drive roundabout to avert this.”
Congestion on Taylors Road was also highlighted as a “big issue” by residents. Survey respondents said cars “queue 24/7” at the Taylors and Kings road intersection.
Residents also called for a greater police presence in the area.
One resident said people were driving “the wrong way down streets” and hoons were travelling up to 100km/h in Addicott Way.
As a result of the study, 15 projects have been added to the council’s capital works program at a cost of $95,100.
The council will investigate issues in the area bounded by the Western Highway, Clarkes Road, Rockbank Middle Road and Caroline Springs Boulevard in its next study.
