A young family say they fear to be in the own backyard amid highway concerns

More than 150 southern residents are fearing for their safety after noticing a ‘dramatic’ increase in cars along the highway behind their homes. Now, they want a wall built.

A southern suburbs community fears it’s only a matter of time before a home experiences a horror crash after noticing a significant increase in traffic on a main thoroughfare.

Arlene Blane is one the many concerned Hallett Cove residents who are currently petitioning to have a safety wall built along the western side of Lonsdale Road.

“The noise, air pollution and potential safety issue has increased dramatically over the years,” she said.

“Many residents along this section of the highway have legitimate concerns for their health and safety.

The Western side of Lonsdale Road, Hallett Cove

“A vehicle could easily lose control and roll down the embankment into our backyards, lives could very well be lost.”

Mrs Blane, who has lived in her home for almost 10 years, says she knew what she was signing up for but says the situation has now become dire.

“We don’t feel safe being out here with our young girls, from the cars doing the 80km/h to the rubbish that flys in, there’s just nothing there stopping them,” she said.

“Often the noise is so loud we find ourselves yelling in order to hear the conversation.

“The sound now carries down to Lapwing Street, Vennachar Drive and even further down the hill.”

Arlene Blane at her back fence which is a stone’s throw from roaring trucks.

The community have rallied together with more than 150 signatures to build a 400-metre safety wall along the busy thoroughfare.

Many of them are also supporting the $120m Majors Road Interchange Project that will improve access to the Southern Expressway, an election promise made by the Malinauskas Government.

“We hope it takes away a lot of the traffic we are currently facing,” Mrs Blane said.

“But a wall along Lonsdale Road should have been implemented years ago.

“It will not only provide a crash barrier and a sound barrier but also and restricts air pollution drifting down to the residents.”

When the The Messenger contacted the The Department for Infrastructure and Transport, a spokesman said providing noise treatment was not their responsibility, but confirmed the safety concerns would be investigated.

“The Department for Infrastructure and Transport values feedback from the community about road and traffic issues,” DIT spokesman said.

“While the department undertakes noise mitigation when constructing new or substantially upgraded roads adjacent to areas that are sensitive to noise, it does not provide noise treatments in relation to road traffic noise on the existing road network.

“In regard to the local residents’ concerns around safety, the department will investigate and provide an assessment as to whether further action is required.”