Killer drive

By Kelly Yates
“PARKHILL Drive is a killer.”
That’s how a mother describes the busy Berwick road after her 11-year-old daughter was killed in a collision along the road back in April.
Anna Iredale said the current 70km/h speed limit was ridiculous.
Residents are now rallying together to put pressure on Casey council to lower the speed limit and install a crossing along the road.
“We need a pedestrian crossing with lights similar to the one put near Moods restaurant in Berwick,” Mrs Iredale said.
“These kids don’t have a sense of direction and often find themselves dodging traffic in an attempt to cross the road and get to the parks.”
At the time of the collision, Mrs Iredale said she felt like writing 40km/h on a piece of cardboard and sticking it on the speed limit sign to stop the drivers from flying down the road.
“I won’t let my son cross the road now. I made one mistake with my daughter Sandra and now I have to live with that,” she said.
Since the opening of Ernst Wanke Road, locals have noticed an increase in the amount of traffic, with many using it as a bypass to and from Westfield Fountain Gate.
“We see hoons changing lanes like they’re on a race track. Many drivers have even stuck their finger up at me because I was driving less than the 70km/h speed limit,” Mrs Iredale said.
Local resident Kelly Wynveld said it made her angry to think action still hadn’t been taken four months after the death of Sandra.
“You would think the death of a child would change the council’s mind,” she said. “The kids need to be safe and the cars need to be aware that there are kids around.”
Berwick Lodge Primary School principal Henry Grossek said he was concerned that there were no safe crossing areas along the four lane road.
“The road was designed for drivers not pedestrians,” he said.
Grade six student Charlie said the road needed a bold zebra crossing.
Sarah, also a student at Berwick Lodge Primary School, said she felt scared when she tried to cross the road.
“This needs to be fixed before we lose another friend,” she said.
“It’s too late for Sandra but not too late for the rest of us.”
According to the students, the local bike park, which is only metres away from the main road, was a popular spot for local children.
Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan announced that a petition would arrive in letterboxes of residents over the next two weeks, calling on the City of Casey to lower the high speed limit on Parkhill Drive.
City of Casey Transport manager Paul Hamilton said the current speed limit was considered to be in accordance with the VicRoads state-wide Speed Zone Guidelines.
There have been seven reported casualty accidents along Parkhill Drive from 2004 to 2008.