By Alesha Capone
Hundreds of people have thrown their support behind a petition calling for the upgrade of a “dangerous” road which runs between the municipalities of Melton and Wyndham.
The Change.org petition, which is calling for action on Troups Road South, has been signed by more than 710 people.
A resident who has lived on Troups Road South for around 30 years, Michelle (who asked for her surname to be withheld), started the petition and also a Facebook page called the Troups Road South Action Page.
The petition says: “The current condition of the road is extremely dangerous as there are dust plumes that are generated by vehicles which causes traffic to be blinded.
“It’s like playing Russian Roulette in your car.
“Also the gravel topping means that vehicles are losing control with accidents occurring on a daily basis.”
Michelle said that within the past five years, the amount of traffic using Troups Road South – which runs between Boundary Road and Greigs Road – had increased significantly, including heavy articulated vehicles and commercial vehicles.
Michelle said Troups Road South was also used as a detour whenever Hopkins Road was closed.
She said residents were lobbying for the Troups Road South speed limit to be lowered from 80 km/h to 60km/h and for the road to be sealed.
“The dust isn’t settling, it’s getting worse – when it rains, it becomes a pothole-ridden road,” she said.
Michelle said she worried about the safety of her two sons, who are on their P-plates, while driving on the road.
“If we didn’t live on the road, I would tell them to avoid it at all costs,” she said.
Melton council’s manager of engineering services, Sam Romaszko, said: “The upgrade of Troups Road South to a sealed rural road standard is a priority for council.
“It’s included in our long-term capital works program and has been referred to the 2020-21 budget for funding consideration.
“Council will continue to maintain Troups Road South in accordance with our Road Management Plan.
“Due to the current traffic volumes, council is carrying out regular maintenance to ensure any defects are managed appropriately.“
