Narre needs duplication

NARRE Warren-Cranbourne Road, from Pound Road to the South Gippsland Highway, needs to be duplicated, says the City of Casey.
Casey mayor Lorraine Wreford said that the severely congested north–south metropolitan link was a crucial part of Casey’s road network and required urgent attention.
“Narre Warren–Cranbourne Road has failed to keep pace with adjoining land development, which is increasing pressure on this road. As Cranbourne North and Cranbourne East are both high growth areas, without intervention by VicRoads this situation will only get worse,” Cr Wreford said.
“While the recent Victorian Government budget announcements for duplications of sections of Clyde Road and Hallam Road were welcomed, more work must be done to improve other notorious arterial roads and intersections in Casey. Our city-sized population is currently serviced by country-style roads and this is simply not sustainable.”
Cr Wreford said between 2003 and 2008, there were 85 casualty collisions on Narre Warren Cranbourne Road– Cameron Street, over 30 of these resulting in serious injury.
“The section north of Thompsons Road carries over 22,000 vehicles every day and there are over 17,000 vehicles on Camms Road,” she said.
“Narre Warren–Cranbourne Road is a key public transport route between Cranbourne and Narre Warren and beyond. VicRoads needs to act now to develop this infrastructure.”
Council believes that a number of major duplications and intersection upgrades by VicRoads are essential to the safety and sustainability of Casey’s road network.
City of Casey transport manager Paul Hamilton said the duplication of the entire length of Hallam Road, from the Princes Highway to the South Gippsland Highway, not just the section between Pound Road and Ormond Road recently announced in the State Budget, was necessary as it was one of the most notorious stretches of arterial road in Casey with a “shocking accident record.”
The City of Casey will continue to advocate for the improvement of the intersections of the Princes Highway/ Clyde Road and the South Gippsland Highway/ Hallam Road/ Evans Road.
VicRoads did not respond to the News before the paper went to print.