By Laura Michell
Masons Road in Mernda will remain open to traffic for now – but will become a one-way road for six months in an effort to address residents’ safety concerns.
Whittlesea council flagged the possible closure of the unsealed road in March in response to lobbying from residents living on Masons Road and Wilkes Court who fear the road has become too dangerous.
Concerns were also raised about dust being spread into their homes and water tanks.
The road has become a ‘rat run’ in recent years for motorists trying to bypass Bridge Inn Road. It is used by up to 850 cars daily.
The council has been grading the road more frequently but it is proving unable to withstand the high volume of daily traffic.
Community consultation on the proposed closure found that while 84 per cent of people living on the sealed section of Masons Road wanted the unsealed section closed, 83 per cent of Wilkes Court residents wanted the road to remain open.
Emergency services called for the road to remain open as well.
A council advisory committee recommended a six-month trial of Masons Road as a one-way road, travelling eastbound between Epping Road and Wilkes Court.
Masons Road will be closed to traffic at the end of the trial if it does not address residents’ concerns. Speaking at last week’s council meeting, Cr Emilia Lisa Sterjova, who was part of the advisory committee, said the one-way trial was “the best option” in “very difficult circumstances”.
“We had to balance the concerns of residents who live on Masons Road and the wider community.”
RELATED LINKS
www.starweekly.com.au/news/masons-road-residents-demand-urgent-action-over-dangerous-road/
www.starweekly.com.au/news/masons-road-could-be-closed-to-address-safety-concerns/
