Mornington North traffic chaos an ‘absolute nightmare’: business operator
Authorities are in denial about a looming traffic crisis in the booming Mornington North area, says a business operator.
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Authorities are in denial about a looming traffic crisis in the booming Mornington North area, says a business operator.
Rodger Smith, who operates the Mornington Gardens Holiday Village, described the traffic gridlock outside his business in Bungower Rd and surrounding streets during peak periods as “an absolute nightmare”.
“It’s bumper to bumper to Nepean Highway and back up to Moorooduc Highway. It’s just terrible.”
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Mr Smith said the chaos would worsen with an aged care centre set to open in nearby Racecourse Rd in April and more residential development slated for Bungower Rd.
The new developments would force more traffic onto the already busy Bungower Rd, he said.
Mr Smith said there would be a traffic meltdown unless authorities duplicated sections of Bungower and Mornington-Tyabb roads.
“Mornington-Tyabb Rd is already congested. It’s a shambles … they (authorities) are thinking people will put up with this,” he said.
Two large retirement villages have opened in the area in the last decade.
Mornington state Liberal MP David Morris said upgrades, particularly duplications of Bungower and Mornington-Tyabb roads, were essential.
Mr Morris said Peninsula Link had led to increases in traffic volumes along both roads.
“We need to get one (duplication) done as a matter of urgency,” he said.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council executive manager infrastructure strategy and climate change Davey Smith said: “The shire is monitoring safety and congestion at a number of locations around the Bungower and Racecourse Rd area.”
He said the council was planning to install pedestrian lights on Bungower Rd near St Macartan’s Catholic Primary School.
“There are no duplications planned for the shire-managed roads in the area, including Bungower Rd and Racecourse Rd.”
VicRoads movement and safety (metro south east) manager Sasha Yarwood said VicRoads would work with the council on a “long term plan on how to manage increased demand on the network in this growing area”.
St Macartan’s Catholic Primary School, which is near Mornington Gardens Holiday Village, did not respond to requests for comment.
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