By Rose Leban
Christopher Baker, a Mooroolbark resident of 33 years, represented the residents of Bickleigh Vale Road and Edna Walling Lane to request that Yarra Ranges Council reduce the speed limit in the estate.
Currently a 50 kilometre per hour road, Mr Baker submitted a petition with 20 valid signatures to the council on Tuesday 13 May.
Mr Baker states the current speed limit of 50 km/h poses risks in the community due to the lack of footpaths, narrow, unsealed roads, and shared use with pedestrians.
“The roads aren’t straight. So this creates glimpses of views by that nature of (Edna Walling’s) design principles, it creates obscure driveways and entrances and blind corners. So it does create a bit of a safety issue, particularly if drivers are travelling a bit faster than normal,” he said.
Bickleigh Vale Road and Edna Walling Lane provide access to 16 residential properties. 80 per cent of those residents supported this petition, only two abstained but none objected.
“It’s our goal in which we have strong support for. And what we’re after is to achieve a safe speed limit.”
The preference of the residents would 20km/hour.
Mr Baker also mentioned that since Covid-19, a lot of residents have been ordering online deliveries from multiple companies and that this was a massive concern as some of them are unaware of the speed limit.
“Some of those drivers are good, but there are some who just come in for the first time, and they just turn off a 60km zone road into what they think is a 50km zone road, and they just put their foot down, and away they go.”
Councillor Len Cox agreed with the petition as they understood why they wanted to reduce the speed limit.
“For anyone who doesn’t know, Bickleigh Vale, it’s a very different area of urban development.
“I can understand why they want to reduce the speed limit if you drove in there carelessly, and with people walking down the road because of the lack of footpaths, then you could easily have an accident or hurt somebody.”
Councillor Peter McIllwain supported Cr Cox’s comments, emphasising the area’s cultural significance and the need for a lower speed limit.
“I support Councillor Cox’s comments.
“It’s an area of cultural significance to the council. I think that the councillors need to understand that it’s rich in architectural and cultural heritage, and I think that comes into our consideration. So thank you for bringing it to our attention.”
The process for speed limit changes involves State Government approval, and the council will assess the request.
