THE condition of Kellys Lane and the unmade section of George Street in Kilmore have come under fire from residents and users of the roads.
Both roads are pitted with corrugations, making the surfaces difficult to drive on.
And residents have accused Mitchell Shire Council of ignoring complaints and emails.
Kellys Lane resident Angee Parker described the situation as ‘an absolute disgrace’ adding that the residents of Kellys Lane had had enough.
“Kellys Lane is by far the worst road in Kilmore. The road is basically undriveable. If fact, my family no longer visit our home due to the atrocious condition of the road. My children’s friends won’t come over for the holidays all because of our road,” she said.
“The bad condition of the road doesn’t just affect our cars in a damaging negative way, it is also having a damaging negative effect on our personal lives. The corrugations are so bad that they are causing constant damage to our cars and [the road] is in fact extremely dangerous to drive on.”
Kellys Lane has long been regarded as a high-traffic road used by more than just locals due to it being a shortcut around Kilmore to Broadford and Seymour.
One resident told the Review that he counted about 250 vehicles on Kelly’s Lane during the Easter Break – many towing boats and caravans.
“It was a normal shortcut I bet they now regret,” he said.
Kellys Lane is also a school bus route leaving many residents concerned for the safety of their children.
Over on George Street residents have erected signs warning motorists to “Hang onto their teeth” as they navigate the potholes. Another sign ironically states that “The Shire says this road is OK”.
“You call the council and complain but get no results. This is not what we should be getting as ratepayers. Maybe we should stop paying our rates and save our money to repair the damage done to our cars because of council’s lack of action,” one George Street resident said.
However, Mitchell Shire chief executive Brett Luxford said council was aware of the issues with Kellys Lane and George Street and had received and responded to community concerns.
“We hear and understand the community’s concerns and we ask that people drive to conditions as we work to improve the condition of these roads. Kellys Lane is graded four times per year and George Street twice per year. Kelly’s Lane is scheduled for grading in April,” Mr Luxford said.
Ms Parker said that the four gradings a year allocated for Kellys Lane in council’s budget did not meet the needs of the road.
“Four times a is not enough, but if you took that money four times a year every year for the last 10 years, you would have sealed our road twice over and then some – it’s only one kilometre that needs attention. Surely, they can fit one kilometre into the budget,” she said.
“I invite all council members to drive Kellys Lane just once and see if they feel safe. Would they like to live on our street?”
Mr Luxford said council inspected, maintained and serviceed more than 1400km of local roads in accordance with its Road Management Plan.
“Council also recently commissioned a traffic speed and volume count in George Street. We regularly conduct traffic counts on roads throughout the shire in response to concerns or for information gathering to determine traffic trends and changes,” he said.
