Knox City Council is calling on the Victorian Government to fix unsafe and unsightly major roads and median strips managed by VicRoads amid escalating residents’ concerns.
Knox Mayor, Cr Lisa Cooper said Council was calling for urgent action on issues like potholes and overgrown grass and vegetation posing safety and fire risks.
“Our residents are increasingly frustrated about the poor and unacceptable condition of road surfaces and the proliferation of potholes on major roads in Knox that are managed by VicRoads,” she said.
“Council is calling on the Victorian Government to improve the condition of their major roads, which are the subject of numerous and growing complaints from our residents and motorists travelling through Knox.
“The neglect of these major roads has resulted in critical issues for motorists in Knox, including the potential for vehicle damage from potholes and uneven surfaces and heightened risk of collisions from drivers swerving to avoid potholes or losing control after impact.
The mayor said this is especially dangerous on high-speed arterial roads where quick reactions and sudden manoeuvres can result in collisions with other vehicles – it’s an accident waiting to happen.
“Residents are increasingly concerned about lack of regular maintenance of grass and vegetation along the median strips of roads managed by VicRoads, which has led to safety concerns such as reduced sight lines at intersections and increased threat of fire for surrounding properties and public spaces,” she said.
Council will write to the Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne and local state MPs Jackson Taylor, Daniela Di Martino and Kim Wells outlining concerns about the state of roads and medians along VicRoads’ arterials in Knox and the immediate need for regular and sufficient maintenance to address safety risks, fire hazards and amenity impacts.
Council is calling on the Department of Transport and Planning to allocate the necessary resources to ensure roads and median strips are adequately maintained.
Importantly, Council is requesting a response from the Minister about the maintenance regime in place to address these concerns, and for this information to be shared with the Council and community at the earliest opportunity.
VicRoads is responsible for the maintenance of the following major arterial roads in Knox:
• Bayswater Road
• Boronia Road
• Brenock Park Drive
• Burwood Highway
• Dorset Road
• Ferntree Gully Road
• Forest Road (Boronia Road to Mountain Highway)
• High Street Road
• Kelletts Road
• Lysterfield Road
• Mountain Highway
• Napoleon Road (Kelletts Road to Lysterfield Road)
• Scoresby Road
• Stud Road
• Wantirna Road
• Wellington Road
Reporting a road issue
All matters relating to major arterial roads should be directed to VicRoads on 13 11 71.
You can report a road issue to VicRoads here at: www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/traffic-and-road-use/report-a-road-issue
You can check who maintains which roads in Knox here at: www.knox.vic.gov.au/our-services/roads-streets-footpaths-and-drains/responsibility-roads
Council maintains local streets or service roads with lower traffic volumes that mostly handle local traffic. If there is a local road that needs attention, more information and how to report issues can be found on our website here. You can report a road issue to Council here at: www.knox.vic.gov.au/our-services/roads-streets-footpaths-and-drains/road-and-street-maintenance
