Slow it down

By Tania Martin
A SILVAN man has called for urgent action to reduce the speed limit on Queens Road after his beloved moggie was hit and killed by a car.
Frank Roskam, 44, is calling for the limit to be lowered from 80 km/h to 50 or 60.
“It was my cat this time but next time it might be a child that gets hit,” he said.
Mr Roskam’s four-year-old feline, Souky, was hit by a car sometime last Tuesday (16 March) and left for dead on the side of the road.
He was devastated to find his cat had been killed.
“I know she shouldn’t have been on the road but that’s what cats do,” Mr Roskam said. “The road is appalling and something needs to be done now not wait until it’s too late.”
But Mr Roskam is not blaming the motorist.
Mr Roskam, a bus driver, knows personally how easy it is to hit something on the road.
“It’s just ridiculous, it’s a built-up area and should be a 50 km/h zone,” Mr Roskam said.
He said the Silvan road was a busy thoroughfare and was especially dangerous for young children walking to and from school.
He had contacted the Yarra Ranges on several occasions but had been told it was VicRoads responsibility.
He said it was about time someone took action to reduce the speed limit.
Mr Roskam said if nothing was done to fix the problem someone would get killed
He now fears for the safety of his six-month-old kitten’s life and his neighbour’s children.
VicRoads south-east metropolitan regional director, Duncan Elliott said although it was the road authority’s responsibility to approve speed limits, it was councils’ job to assess them.
He said council needed to measure limits on local roads in accordance to the Victorian guidelines. “Any proposal to chance an existing speed limit on a local road must be submitted to VicRoads for consideration and approval,” Mr Elliott said. “We would be willing to consider any proposal from council.”
Yarra Ranges Council community relations manager, James Martin said the shire would be undertaking traffic investigations on the road.
“If the investigations indicates a lower speed limit should be applied, we will approach VicRoads,” he said.
Are you affected by the speed limit in Queens Road? Report your concerns by calling Tania Martin on 9736 1044 or email tania.martin@yvnews.com.au.