By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
A “dog’s dinner” trial of new routes has simply shifted central Geelong’s truck traffic problem elsewhere, according to residents of eastern McKillop St.
Frank Kennedy said the trial, banning trucks from Malop and Mercer Sts, had antagonised McKillop St residents.
They now suffered a “massive” traffic increase in their own street as semi-trailers and smaller trucks constantly used McKillop and Meakin Sts as a “rat run” to Ryrie St, he said.
Some residents had moved bedrooms from the front of their houses to escape the noise, while windows rattled as trucks passed.
Mr Kennedy said trucks using the McKillop St and Ormond Rd intersection often sped up to get through amber lights.
“We went through all this 10 years ago. They spent $66 million on building the Breakwater bridge with the idea for it to be the permanent truck route.
“We had no problems until the council reinvented the wheel and introduced the truck trial with no consultation.”
Mr Kennedy said council had asked for feedback but had yet to tell residents the criteria for determining whether the trial was successful.
“If they say getting trucks out of central Geelong is a win, it means a loss for McKillop St residents. Our end of the street is meant to be for neighbourhood traffic only.”
State Member for Geelong Ian Trezise called for tougher policing of trucks trying to run traffic lights at the McKillop St and Ormond Rd intersection.
Mr Trezise said more than 500 trucks were using alternative routes since the ban on Mercer and Malop Sts began in February.
“The intersection has a long cycle of lights and trucks are alleged to be trying to beat the red to save time without pulling up.”
Mr Trezise raised the issue in parliament last week, calling on the Transport Minister to alert Victoria Police.
The trial also forced trucks on LaTrobe Tce and Ryrie St to use two lanes to make left turns, he said.
“Trucks coming up LaTrobe and turning into Ryrie have to hook from the middle lane across the left lane into Ryrie St – that’s a disaster waiting to happen.
“An inexperienced driver or one unfamiliar with the intersection could easily run straight under a turning truck.
“Something needs to be done to avoid an incident.”
