Four speed humps will be installed on a Doreen distributor road to deter hoon drivers and protect children at a childcare centre.
A report prepared by Whittlesea council’s infrastructure department revealed that cars travel along Orchard Road at “higher than desirable speeds,” and that tyre skids and burnout marks are proof of hoon driving.
At the start of the year, staff and parents involved with Butterflies Childcare and Early Learning Centre, at 2-4 Orchard Road, submitted a petition to the council to look into establishing a school speed zone and installing road ‘cushions’ outside the centre to slow drivers.
The council’s report, tabled eight months later, was in favour of the petitioners’ request and councillors voted last week to fund the $30,000 cost of installing the speed humps.
Childcare centre owner Sue Franklin said staff were pleased the council had decided to act on their concerns.
She said there had been no “near misses” with children and cars on the road, but the centre wanted to be proactive. “We’re all concerned. It’s got a 50-kilometre sign up, but tradesmen do 60, 70 and 80km/h. They shouldn’t be speeding,” she said.
The council will prepare a submission to VicRoads for a school speed zone in Orchard Road. Mayor Ricky Kirkham said he believed in reacting as soon as possible.
