Traffic snarls prompt call for study

High St, Drysdale.

By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN

“Worsening congestion” has prompted calls for a traffic study at Drysdale and Clifton Springs.
Drysdale Clifton Springs Community Association secretary Neil McGuinness said traffic congestion on High St and Jetty Rd had become a major issue.
He said 70 concerned residents at a recent public meeting had put the study request to state Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville and the seat’s Liberal candidate, Cr Ron Nelson.
Mr McGuiness said the construction of a proposed service station between High St and Jetty Rd was “unanimously unpopular as it will significantly worsen congestion”.
“The community wants a traffic study to investigate congestion and recommend improvements.”
Mr McGuiness said a proposed road connecting new Curlewis housing developments to Portarlington Rd was needed immediately.
“The developers are saying they will build it sometime in the future. This is unacceptable because in the meantime it is contributing to the traffic congestion in Jetty Rd.”
Mr McGuiness said residents considered the Drysdale bypass a priority to reduce congestion and to remove trucks from High St.
Last week’s state budget allocated $500,000 for a study into the proposed bypass, which has an estimated cost of $60 million.