THE speed limit near a Moorooduc child care center is putting children at serious risk, the centre’s staff says.
The Little Grasshoppers Coolstores Early Learning Centre sits on the corner of Eramosa Road and Moorooduc Highway. The speed limit on Eramosa Road just outside the centre’s entrance is 80kmph – centre manager Sandi O’Shaughnessy says that the existing speed limit is dangerous for children, parents, and staff. “We have been requesting the council to help us in slowing traffic on Eramosa Road across from the Coolstores complex,” O’Shaughnessy said. “We run a bush kindergarten program and cross this road at least twice per week, and we see many many pedestrians and cyclists dangerously cross this road. “The speed limit is 80kmph, there is no crossing or even children crossing signs, and cars rarely slow down. It is so dangerous.”
The Victorian Department of Transport, which has the final say on all speed limits statewide, declined to comment when asked about the road. The road is under the management of the Mornington Peninsula Shire. A fact sheet released by the shire in 2019 read “the shire is the road management authority for all local and non-arterial roads on the Mornington Peninsula. However VicRoads are responsible for all speed limits in Victoria. This means any speed limit changes on shire managed roads are subject to a detailed assessment and application to VicRoads for their approval.
“Potential speed limit change applications can only be considered once the road has undergone a detailed traffic engineering assessment and community consultation has been conducted as part of that. This is a lengthy process which can take more than twelve months. It is not guaranteed that VicRoads will approve a speed limit change application submitted by the shire.”
Earlier this month, Mornington Peninsula Shire acknowledged that it is investigating advocating for the speed limits on Hodgins, Derril, Graydens, Stumpy Gully, and Tuerong roads to be reduced to 60kmph.
First published in the Mornington News – 27 August 2024
