Cardigan Village residents oppose Remembrance Drive speed change

VicRoads announced on August 2 it would consult this month with residents about potentially dropping the speed limit to 80 kilometres.

Ballarat City Council voted to lobby for a speed reduction in July, although Cr Amy Johnson voted against the motion.

There have been three fatalities and three serious injuries from crashes on the road since 2010, including the death a four-year-old girl and an 18-year-old man.

Both were in cars that left the road and hit a tree.

The change.org petition shared on Facebook said the people of Ballarat do not support a speed limit change.

It also called on the government to make sure VicRoads consulted with the community.

Cardigan Village resident Steve Rankin, who owns a cafe in Ballarat, said he thought a speed reduction would make the road less safe.

“You will get impatient drivers, and you will get people that sit on 70 or 60 kilometres because there are already people sitting on 80 in the first case,” he said.

“With how wide it is on both sides, why can’t they put in barriers, as long as it doesn’t affect the cyclists.

“I wouldn’t have a problem if it was a very built up area, which it will be in 10 or 15 years, but for the minute it is still country orientated.”

Fellow Cardigan Village resident Robert Francis said no one at council consulted with the community before voting for change.

“People here are just saying, no one has asked us, and we need to voice our opposition,” he said.

“If you asked everyone who used it from one of the biggest communities at Cardigan, they would say no.

“We know mobile phones are causing accidents, alcohol is a cause, they are not all speed related and VicRoads know that.”

Cr Johnson said the majority of people were being penalised for the actions of a minority of motorists.

“I don’t think it is right to continue pandering to the lowest common denominator,” she said. “When will the onus be on the driver to drive safely, rather than penalising everyone for the irresponsible behaviour of a few?

“The majority of people I have spoken to are in favour of retaining the current speed limit and I will continue to advocate for our residents.”