Bill West
AN open invitation is extended to Mitchell Shire residents to join in a massive protest convoy and rally on Sunday, beginning at 10am on the Laurie Green Pavilion in the Lancefield Park.
The protest is a direct consequence of widespread discontent about the state of the Melbourne-Lancefield road.
“This may be our last chance to make real difference,” said Macedon Ranges Shire council member Joe Morabito, the chief organiser of Sunday’s protest.
“Plenty of Mitchell Shire residents use this busy road through Lancefield and Romsey, and the number of complaints about the potholes and the surface breaking up over recent months has been overwhelming,” Cr Morabito said.
“We hope to see plenty of people from Kilmore, Pyalong and Tooborac come along to take part on Sunday.”
Cr Morabito also said that he believes the issues presented on Sunday will have a significant bearing on the result of the state election in the seat of Macedon on November 27.
Following a brief address in Lancefield, it is proposed that the convoy of trucks and cars will proceed in an orderly and courteous manner, with their headlights on, along the Melbourne-Lancefield Road.
The procession will run through Romsey, Mongegeetta and Bolinda to its final destination on the north side of Bulla Hill.
“The convoy will travel at around 70kph, it’s intended to mimic or symbolise those who choose to drive slowly, highlighting the need for passing lanes,” Cr Morabito said.
Cr Morabito said that short-term, over the past four months, the VicRoads-controlled road has been seriously compromised by a proliferation of potholes.
Many have now been repaired.
Cr Morabito also said the Macedon Ranges Shire Council and numerous residents are right behind the protest.
“People of this area have been treated with contempt and numerous calls over the past seven years for the introduction of passing lanes on the road have fallen on deaf ears,” he said.
Cr Morabito said that over the years there have been at least 22 recorded deaths through accidents on the Melbourne-Lancefield Road, between 250 and 300 non-fatal collisions, and numerous near misses.
He said that in a distance of 28 kilometres from Romsey southwards, this equates to 0.8 of a person dead for every kilometre on the road.
“I would like to see a worse statistic,” he declared.
Invitations have been sent to various politicians, from Premier John Brumby and the opposition leader Ted Baillieu, to attend the protest rally.
Key issues the protesters are expected to press for action on include ‘no more potholes,’ passing lanes, traffic lights at the Barry Street intersection in Romsey, improvements to the Lancefield-Kilmore road intersection and a merging lane at the Riddell’s Creek turn off.
Those who intend to take part in the convoy are encouraged to bring their own protest banners.
