By ANEEKA SIMONIS AND CASEY NEIL
MANUFACTURING businesses operating in one of Pakenham’s busiest industrial hubs have been told their traffic congestion concerns will need to wait.
Melbourne Rotomould director Tim Leed said the constant traffic hold up along Healesville-Kooweerup Road between the Princes Freeway and the Bald Hill Road roundabout was costing his business.
“In the afternoon, it takes 15 minutes to get from Bormar Drive to the roundabout. It’s less than a kilometre,” Mr Leed said.
“This is Pakenham – this is not Melbourne.
“It’s a real problem for business.”
His call for the single-lane road to be duplicated between Bald Hill Road and the Princes Freeway is supported by Bass MP Brian Paynter, who said congestion caused by the roundabout was spilling onto the freeway, jeopardising the safety of motorists on the 100km/h road.
“I often pass through that area in the afternoon, and have seen the traffic build up along the off ramp at the bypass. Vehicles are regularly spilling into the emergency lane of the bypass with traffic flying past at 100km/h. It’s very dangerous,” Mr Paynter said.
He flagged the roundabout upgrade as “urgent”.
However, VicRoads Metro South East Regional director Aidan McGann said the road concerns were not a priority.
“We are aware of the traffic conditions at this location and the concerns of local businesses,” Mr McGann said.
“We receive many requests to relieve congestion and improve safety on our roads. These requests are assessed and prioritised across the state.
“In the meantime, we will continue to monitor traffic operations at this location,” he said.
Roads Minister Luke Donnellan agreed, but did not dismiss a future upgrade as future development continues in the busy growth corridor.
“The current delays at these roundabouts, as observed by VicRoads and council officer, are not considered excessive with other locations in the southeast growth corridor presently experiencing higher congestion,” Mr Donnellan wrote in response to the issue flagged by Mr Paynter in mid-September.
“However, as significant future development is planned for the Pakenham growth areas, the traffic capacity along the Healesville-Kooweerup Road / Racecourse Road route between the Princes Highway and the Princes Highway will need to be upgraded.
