Road action gathers pace- Casey Councillor Sam Aziz said the council supports residents who want Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road duplicated. 63597 Picture: Kim Cartmell

By Lia Bichel
A PETITION with almost 1000 signatures calling for the duplication of a congested local road has gained the support of Casey councillors.
Springfield Ward Councillor Sam Aziz tabled a petition with 945 signatures of people who were hopeful that funds would be provided in the 2011 State Budget to duplicate Narre Warren Cranbourne Road between Pound and Thompsons roads.
The petition was recently tabled in Parliament by Narre Warren South MP Judith Graley.
Cr Aziz said councillors fully supported the residents. He said the duplication was one of Casey Council’s top priorities.
“The road has been a problem for a while. There are a number of reasons the road needs duplication. It is a major arterial road connecting the north and south of our city, and with the growth in population and projected growth from the Casey Central Shopping Centre, congestion will get worse. The safety concerns that might emanate from this is massive,” Cr Aziz said.
“We need to provide the correct infrastructure with this growth. It’s critical for residents.”
Cr Aziz said the Casey Council will constantly lobby to the State Government and is hopeful they respond by duplicating the road.
Narre Warren South MP Judith Graley said the significant response to the petition demonstrated that locals really want Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road to be upgraded.
“The residents who signed my petition are those same people who use Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road on a daily basis and are fed up with being stuck in traffic jams,” she said.
“Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road must be upgraded so that local residents spend less time stuck in traffic and more time with their families.”
Cr Aziz encouraged residents who want the road duplicated to write to the State Government and their local MPs with their concerns.