A FATHER-of-two has urged Melton Shire Council to take action on hoons who are turning a Burnside street into their own private street racing strip.

Paulo Penailillo says hoon drivers speeding along Tenterfield drive in Burnside Heights were making life hell for local families who regularly cross the road to use the playground on the corner of Tenterfield Drive and Scullin Road.

With no speeding deterrents or warning signs, he fears it is only a matter of time before someone gets hit.

“It’s such a dangerous spot,” Mr Penailillo said.

“I take my kids to the playground often and we have to cross the road to get there.

“There’s been so many times we’ve been crossing and a car has come speeding down the road.

“It’s an accident waiting to happen.”

The Burnside Heights resident has complained to the council about the dangers of the spot, asking it to install warning signs and speed bumps to make the road safer for pedestrians.

The Council’s Engineering Services Manager, Les Stokes, acknowledged there was a speeding problem along Tenterfield Drive but said with no funds allocated in this year’s budget, the council could not act on the issue until next year.

“We have investigated and found there is a speeding issue along that road,” Mr Stokes said.

“We’ve requested traffic calming measures as part of next year’s budget.

“We’re not doing anything now because we don’t have the money but it doesn’t mean that we’re not doing anything about it in the future.”

But Mr Penailillo said the council’s stance was ridiculous.

“It’s all about money to them,” he said.

“People’s safety is more important than money.

“This needs to be done now, not years down the track.

“Are they waiting for someone to be killed before they take action on this?”

Mr Penailillo is starting a campaign to urge the council to install safety upgrades along Tenterfield Drive to allow safe access to the playground.

It is not the first time the father-of-two has had concerns about pedestrian safety.

Several years ago, Mr Penailillo campaigned for traffic lights in front of Sunshine Hospital, amid fears the busy road was too dangerous for pedestrians.