Bendigo West MP wants 10km/h speed reduction on local road due to large amounts of truck traffic
By Ruza Zivkusic | September 1, 2011
Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards is calling on the Victorian Government to reduce the speed limit in a local school area due to large amounts of truck traffic.
The Victorian town of Tarnagulla, which is 183km north-west of Melbourne, is one of the few towns left in her electorate that has not had its speed limit reduced, Edwards says.
“Many B-double trucks use the route through Tarnagulla and the narrowness of the road means it is very dangerous for all pedestrians but especially for schoolchildren who use this route on their way to and from school on their bikes,” she says.
“Many other small towns in my electorate, such as Chewton, have successfully campaigned for a speed reduction from 60km/h to 50km/h and Tarnagulla should be no exception gives its location on a main highway.”
She has presented the government with a petition of 168 signatures calling for a change of speed limit from 60 km/h to 50 km/h on Commercial Road and the Wimmera Highway.
“The Tarnagulla community, via the very active Neighbourhood Watch group, has been pushing this matter for some time because there are serious concerns about community safety on the main highway running through the town,” Edwards says.
“These petitions are evidence that the community of Tarnagulla is very serious about pursuing a reduction in the speed limit through its main street and I support it in that push.”
“After visiting the township and meeting with local Neighbourhood Watch members, including the local policeman, it was evident there is a lot of through traffic, particularly during holiday periods.
“Every house in the main street is inhabited and there are several businesses in the main street.”