CONCERNED: Jim’s Auto and Mower at Sanctuary Point Tim Verkroost continues his battle to have the car park in front of the Sanctuary Point shopping centre made truck-free.
CONCERNS have been raised over a stormwater drain lid that keeps being broken by trucks trying to enter the car park at Sanctuary Point shopping centre.
Owner of Jim’s Auto and Mower at Sanctuary Point Tim Verkroost said it was only a matter of time before someone was hurt by the damaged drain-pit cover.
“The lid is repeatedly broken by trucks driving over it,” he said.
“This is a serious problem and it’s right next to a school.
“You wouldn’t believe how many people are walking through here when school finishes each day,” Mr Verkroost said.
“This is the third time the concrete lid has been broken on this thing and council just keeps replacing it. Why doesn’t council make it so trucks can’t drive through there? It’s a bit of a joke.”
Mr Verkroost led a campaign over the last couple of years to stop delivery trucks using the Sanctuary Point shopping centre car park due to pedestrian safety and the damage being caused to the pavement.
Late last year the property owners paid for the mass of potholes in the car park to be repaired and the entire area to be resealed.
Business owners believe the new surface has made a noticeable improvement to trade and to the overall atmosphere of the area.
However there are concerns that by continuing to allow trucks to use the car park to unload goods, rather than using an unloading area behind the shops, the new surface will be damaged once again.
“Despite putting in a traffic island to make it difficult for a truck to enter the car park by the eastern driveway, trucks are still using that entrance by driving over the concrete drain cover,” Mr Verkroost said.
“You don’t have to be Einstein to fix this. Take a look at most shopping centres. They use a one-way traffic system with a loading zone at the back. This whole complex is set up perfectly to do just that,” Mr Verkroost said.
Acting City Services director Cliff Harris said council was planning changes to encourage trucks to use a different entry to the car park.
“Council is currently modifying the pit and pit lid to be more robust in the event that errant vehicles continue to mount the kerb when accessing the service road,” he said
“However in addition to other recent work to improve pedestrian safety in that area and discourage large vehicles entering at this location, additional works are proposed and aimed at encouraging large vehicles to enter the service road at the western entry.
“It is anticipated these works will be completed in the next few weeks.”