A petition signed by a number of concerned Epping residents has received support from Whittlesea’s councillors.
After a growing chorus of Epping’s locals claimed the Maserati Drive and Findon Road intersection was unsafe, a petition calling on Whittlesea council to advocate to the state government for safety upgrades received over 450 signatures.
Council moved to support the petition during its September 23 meeting, with Cr Lawire Cox speaking to the importance of the proposed upgrades.
“The whole of Findon Road is a major problem. It is a major East/West arterial road that needs work,” he said.
The support comes after a recent council traffic study confirmed both safety risks and congestion issues along Findon Road which highlighted the intersection as a key problem in the area.
The charge in favour of a safer intersection was led by Better Deal Whittlesea (BDW), a residents advocacy group formed to “resist the declining state of liveability, strained services and inadequate infrastructure” facing the Whittlesea community.
BDW advocate Nick Brain said the move by council has been encouraging for the cause.
“It’s been very encouraging. It demonstrates when residents raise their voices together, they are more likely to be heard,” he said.
“BDW welcomes council’s recognition on this road safety issue, and hopes to continue working with Councillors to resolve this hotspot.”
Mr Brain said other signees are also hopeful with the direction of the process, but time will tell before matters are resolved.
“BDW has spoken with several petitioners. They are grateful advocacy has begun and council is taking the matter seriously. But ultimately they are wanting action to be taken,” he said.
“Safer roads will continue to be one of the BDW’s key focuses. Another focus for BDW will be to soon start a community conversation about how resident voice can be further leveraged to enhance Council’s decision making processes.”
