Banyule drivers use Maltravers, Upper Heidelberg and Lower Heidelberg roads as rat runs
Frustrated motorists are turning quiet Banyule streets into “rat runs’’ as they try to avoid traffic-clogged major arterials.
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Frustrated motorists are turning quiet Banyule streets into “rat runs’’ as they try to avoid traffic-clogged major arterials.
Eaglemont’s Stan Eliadis said traffic and dangerous driving had become worse on Maltravers Rd since a car ploughed into his front yard last year.
He said drivers used Maltravers Rd to avoid congestion on Upper Heidelberg and Lower Heidelberg roads.
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“For half an hour each day outside my house it is madness — not only are more drivers using this typically quiet street, but they aren’t abiding by the 50km/h speed limit,” Mr Eliadis said.
Mr Eliadis’ wife was gardening exactly where the car had crashed less than five minutes earlier.
He has called for better traffic management to target popular rat run times between 7 and 10am on weekdays.
“One idea is to place a no-right-turn sign for traffic heading east along Maltravers Rd at Carmichael St,” he said.
“Rat runs from the west side of Maltravers into Carmichael through Lower Heidelberg Rd and the busy shopping and school area to Burke Rd would be stopped.
“Instead, drivers would be forced to continue to the end of Maltravers and find Burke Rd.”
Banyule Ratepayers Action Group advocate David Mulholland said drivers were doing anything they could to avoid Rosanna Rd.
“They’re going down Grove Rd and Cape St and hooning all along Banyule Rd,” Mr Mullholand said.
“Rat running is a problem Banyule-wide — I’ve heard separate stories from residents who tell me of near misses of kids from speeding cars near Banyule Primary and in Eaglemont.”
Acting Senior Sergeant Ashley Hodges said rat running was a problem for police in Banyule.
“Until we have a major arterial road that goes straight to the freeway we will continue to have this problem in Banyule,” Acting Sen-Sgt Hodges said.
“Suburbs just north of Banyule are growing and more people are driving through Banyule to get to the city where most people work.
“We do know of them (rat runs) and try to police them where we can.”
Banyule Mayor Wayne Phillips said the council had installed a range of safety measures including round-a-bouts, speed humps and slow points in Lower Heidelberg Rd, Cape St, Grove Rd, Dudley Rd, St Hellier St, Monash St and Banyule Rd — but not Maltravers Rd.
“We are currently investigating options at Maltravers Rd to address this community concern,” Cr Phillips said.
“Local Traffic Only signs are used to reduce rat runs and we encourage motorists to use the most direct route to their destination and keep local streets for local traffic.”
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