North-west residents have welcomed Melton council’s plans to ease traffic congestion and reduce risks to pedestrians in Caroline Springs and Hillside.
The council will consult residents living near The Esplanade in Caroline Springs following complaints about traffic volumes, speeding, hoon behaviour, and poor visibility and signage.
Resident Nathan Miles said The Esplanade was one of several local roads needing attention. “Congestion is definitely a problem there,” he said. “The Christies Road exit is a debacle, to say the least. Hume Drive needs to be duplicated, but council seem to be dragging their heels with that one.”
A report on the state of The Esplanade will be presented to the next council meeting on March 4.
The council will also seek funding for a signalled pedestrian crossing on Melton Highway, near The Regency, in Hillside.
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Cr Renata Cugliari said the closest pedestrian crossing was about a kilometre away, at the corner of Gourlay Road and Melton Highway.
“I have personally seen many youths and parents with prams crossing that section,” she said.
“A primary school is close by … children are crossing a busy road to get to school.
‘‘There are school bus stops and also a convenience store that many of the locals use in that location.”
A VicRoads spokesman said its funding process was highly competitive ‘‘as the pool of potential proposals and sites is substantial’’.
“VicRoads will continue to monitor this site, but at this stage there are no immediate plans to submit any proposals for funding consideration due to the relative priority of this site,” he said.
