A new petition is calling on the state government to duplicate two “dangerous” roads in the north.
The Greenvale Roads subcommittee, which was established by the Greenvale Residents’ Association, wants the government to “prioritise” the duplication of Mickleham and Somerton roads because of “increased traffic volumes and ongoing safety issues”.
Jim Overend, a long-time campaigner for the duplication of Craigieburn Road, is helping the Greenvale Roads group with the petition.
He said the petition, which had gained “a few hundred signatures” within a couple of weeks, would be submitted to the Legislative Council of Victoria by Northern Metropolitan MP Craig Ondarchie once it attracted more signatures.
Mr Overend, who will stand as a Liberal candidate in the seat of Yuroke for the forthcoming state election, said he would continue to fight for the duplication of both roads if elected.
“Both Mickleham and Somerton roads are very dangerous, very congested and troubling – the main worry is we’re going to have fatalities on these roads,” he said.
He said the section of Mickleham Road located outside Aitken College in Greenvale was particularly bad, with motorists driving in and out of the school.
College principal Josie Crisara said that the whole community was impacted by Mickleham Road’s congestion and safety issues.
“Safety is a big issue,” she said. “We’ve probably seen a nose-to-tail accident once a fortnight.”
In October, 2016, Yuroke MP Ros Spence presented a petition to Parliament, signed by 793 people, requesting the duplication of Mickleham Road.
Roads and Road Safety Minister Luke Donnellan said the government would continue to look at ways to boost traffic flow and improve safety on Mickleham and Somerton Roads.
See facebook.com/greenvaleresidents3059/ to download a copy of the petition, or visit the Greenvale Newsagency or Ray White Craigieburn to sign it.
