Customers crossing

A HAZARDOUS border road next to Westfield Fountain Gate is one step closer to becoming safer.
Following ongoing discussions with the City of Casey and its own internal investigation, Westfield has engaged a traffic consultant to develop a proposal for a pedestrian crossing on Magid Drive to allow for safer access to the shopping centre and the surrounding reserves.
The proposal is now subject to VicRoads’ approval.
The progress comes after Casey residents last year called for additional traffic signals and a pedestrian crossing to be introduced at the site.
While a crossing can be found at the Princes Highway intersection of Magid Drive, residents raised concerns that the road lacks adequate pedestrian access prior to this point.
Casey councillor Sam Aziz, who has led the charge for increased safety measures at the site, said Westfield’s investigation of the site was a “massive leap forward”.
He said pedestrians were currently “taking their lives into their own hands” when they crossed Magid Drive.
“It’s great to see when council officers intervene that we are finally getting some traction,” Cr Aziz said.
“We can see Westfield is taking some serious steps and getting some traffic consultation on this.”
City of Casey Manager Transport Paul Hamilton said that Westfield should install the crossing at its own cost because it will principally be used by customers to access the shopping centre.