Will Clyde Road works smash Berwick traders’ season?

By Lilly O’Gorman
THE release of an end-of-year start date for the Clyde Road duplication project had Berwick businesses nervous about the Christmas trading period.
At Monday night’s Berwick Village Chamber of Commerce meeting, president Harry Hutchinson said if VicRoads was to commence works late this year, it could cause headaches for local retailers.
“Once the works are underway, it is going to be a long period of disruption for local businesses,” Mr Hutchinson said.
“For traders, it would be nice to have the Christmas trading period free of disruptions due to road works.”
However, Charlie Broadhurst, Project Director of VicRoads South Eastern Projects said any end-of-year works would be far from the CBD.
“Major work on the Clyde Road upgrade is expected to start early in 2012,” Mr Broadhurst said.
“Some initial work may start at the rail line adjacent to the level crossing before Christmas 2011 but the work is not expected to impact traffic.
“VicRoads will consult business owners and traders along Clyde Road and High Street before major works start to help develop a works schedule that, where possible, aims to avoid disruption during important shopping times and busy business periods.”
VicRoads is also consulting with the Berwick RSL and the City of Casey about works on the High Street and Princes Highway intersection.
Discussions are underway to ensure memorial events including Anzac Day and Remembrance Day are not disrupted because of the works.
The High Street intersection will be remodelled, providing dedicated right turn lanes with traffic signals, reducing confusion for motorists.
VicRoads will hold a Clyde Road duplication update at the Berwick RSL on Monday 5 December.
Community members can drop in to the information session between 2.30pm and 7pm to receive updates about the project, ask questions and provide feedback.