Council to install speed humps to reduce Brandon Park traffic flow

Sneaky motorists trying to bypass notoriously busy intersections in Melbourne’s east using a well-known rat run are about to find their efforts a little more difficult, with the installation of a host of speed bumps.

Seventeen speed bumps plan to be installed in the Brandon Park Drive area later this year. Photo: James Ross

Motorists using a well-known Monash rat run will find their sneaky efforts to bypass busy intersections frustrated by 17 speed humps.

The number of cars using the Brandon Park Drive area in Wheelers Hill has rocketed in recent years as motorists seek to avoid heavily congested intersections at Ferntree Gully and Springvale roads and Wellington and Springvale roads.

Monash Council will install the speed humps along Earlwood Drive, Darnley Grove, Blackwood Drive and Academy Ave.

Brandon Park Action Group convener John Shrives said motorists had realised they could travel quicker through the back streets.

“In two surveys, more than 60 per cent of respondents were in favour of some sort of work done to reduce the traffic flow,” he said.

“Hopefully that will work (but) time will tell.

“With a bit of luck motorists will think twice about using it.”

The morning peak hour is the worst time of the day, with council surveys showing through trips in the area more than doubled from 966 to 2180 between 2011 and 2017 on a Thursday between 7.30 and 9.30am.

Councillor Robert Davies said the decision to install 17 speed humps was the culmination of a long project after extensive community consultation.

“I believe the community will be happy with the result,” he said.

“The rat run is a big issue but there are a few other movement issues that we’re tackling as well.”

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Monash Mayor Shane McCluskey said the plan would help traffic flow and he was rapt with the consultation in the area, with “great feedback” from people living in the area. The $240,000 project will start later this year.

According to VicRoads, an average of 47,000 vehicles use Springvale Rd between Ferntree Gully Rd and Monash Freeway intersection and the Wellington Rd and Monash Freeway intersection.

A VicRoads spokesman, who declined to be named, said rat running significantly impacted on the safety of drivers, cyclists and pedestrians using local roads.

“We are delivering a record number of improvements to key arterial roads in established and growing areas to boost capacity, improve safety and traffic flow — encouraging drivers to use our main roads and avoid rat runs,’’ he said.