Truck ‘rat run’ road to close

FEARS rural Ryan Road could become a ‘rat run’ for truckies have prompted Cardinia Shire Council to take action – despite some councillors claiming they should steer clear of getting involved.
The partially sealed road on the eastern outskirts of Pakenham is to be closed to through traffic this week as part of preparations for the longawaited $242 million Pakenham Bypass.
Cr Kate Lempriere won a bid at council’s 10 April meeting to seek to have the road terminated on the north side of the railway crossing. She said residents were afraid trucks would use Ryan Road as a shortcut between the bypass and the Princes Highway.
Cr Lempriere said closing the road on the other side of the railway line left the door open for it to become an unofficial thoroughfare when the bypass works were done.
Mayor Bill Ronald and councillors Brett Owen, Bill Pearson and Ed Chatwin supported Cr Lempriere. But the move was strongly opposed by councillors Doug Hamilton and Graeme Legge when it was debated at council’s meeting.
Cr Hamilton said the question of where the road should be ended was for the State Government to decide. His comments sparked a sharp response from Cr Lempriere, who said: “I don’t go into your ward and tell you what to do, Councillor”.
Cr Lempriere said Ryan Road residents wanted the closure on the north side of the railway line.
“People don’t want their road to become a rat run,” she said. “It would make a very easy way of taking Bdoubles and trucks from Racecourse Road. They could cut through that way and cut out three sets of lights.”
Cr Hamilton said closing the road on the north side effectively cut off one of just nine railway crossings in the 25kilometre stretch between Ryan Road and Beaconsfield.
Cr Hamilton said trucks could quite easily be prevented from using Ryan Road without taking such drastic action.
“It’s a disgrace for council to take any action that would result in the closure of one of these crossings,” he said. “Council should keep right out of this.”
Cr Owen supported Cr Lempriere’s bid, saying it would be great when the road was closed to through traffic.
He agreed with Cr Lempriere that closing the road on the south side meant it could eventually be reopened.
“This will drastically reduce traffic and wear and tear on the road,” Cr Owen said.
Cr Lempriere said councillors had a duty to “support and look after our residents”.
The final vote was five to two.