Not so fast now- Firies celebrated the announcement of a reduced speed limit on busy Horswood Road. Back: George Ribi, Julian Guy, Narre Warren North Labor MP Luke Donnellan, Paul Chaffey, Carlie Chis

By Lia Bichel
FIREFIGHTERS and residents who pushed for improvement to a Narre Warren North road have had their desperate pleas answered.
VicRoads is lowering the speed limit on the notoriously dangerous Horswood Road from 90 to 80km/h.
The announcement comes three months after Narre Warren North CFA and residents made a desperate plea for safety improvements to the road after a series of fatal and life-threatening crashes.
They wrote letters to the Casey Council, local Labor MP Luke Donnellan and VicRoads asking for improved lighting, more signage and a decreased speed limit.
In November, Narre Warren North CFA Captain Shaun Trotter said that in two years there had been two fatalities and many serious multiple-car crashes near the intersection.
He said it was one of the worst roads in the Narre Warren North area and was getting worse because of increased traffic.
Mr Trotter welcomed the new speed limit but said his brigade and locals would still like to see VicRoads implement more signage and lighting in the near future.
“We are happy that the speed limit was reduced and I really hope it prevents future tragedies. One accident is too many,” Mr Trotter said.
Mr Donnellan contacted VicRoads in October to review the area and said the announcement was a small victory for the community, but that more changes could be made to make the road safer.
“The local community is concerned about the large number of heavy vehicles that use the road, and more safety measures could be put in place,” he said.
VicRoads is considering upgrading signage, lighting and other improvements at the bend of Horswood Road, including a narrow centre median strip, guard fence and improved street lighting.
“Narre North CFA alerted me to the fact that lighting was incredibly important for this stretch of road,” Mr Donnellan said.
“Lighting at the intersection of Horswood and Belgrave-Hallam roads is something I am very keen to see, and I am hoping VicRoads will deliver on this.”
The new speed limit is expected to be implemented by the end of the month.