MP joins bypass battle

Residents’ plan is safer than the experts’, says Ramsay

DRYSDALE’S controversial $106 million bypass has come under fire in Parliament, prompting calls for ministerial intervention.

The Liberal member for Western Victoria and Opposition parliamentary secretary for rural and regional transport, Simon Ramsay, has backed the Drysdale Clifton Springs Community Association’s proposed alternative.

In the Upper House last week, Mr Ramsay criticised the preferred option of VicRoads and the City of Greater Geelong.

Mr Ramsay said the VicRoads-proposed intersection would cause more crashes.

“The main concern is that the proposal will lead to an increase in accidents on that road caused by a new intersec- tion that will be subject to morning and evening sun glare and by new bus stops proposed to be located on the opposite side of the busy highway to the residential area,” he said.

“The group’s view is that its preferred route — an upgrade of an existing connection — will remove the need for traffic lights on Portarlington Rd and will be safer.”

It comes just two weeks after an independent review exposed issues with the proposal, urging VicRoads to reexamine the design of the bypass junction with Grubb Rd and High St.

A government-appointed planning panel criticised the proposed roundabout at the western entrance to the bypass, finding that traffic lights would operate better and be safer for pedestrians and cy

clists. The Drysdale Clifton Springs Community Association welcomed Mr Ramsay’s action, vowing to continue the fight for their desired bypass option, which would include a roundabout at Hermsley Rd leading to an upgraded Coriyule Rd.

“The council made this decision (to build a connector road) over 10 years ago, based on the knowledge and information available at that time,” association committee mem- ber Neil McGuinness said.

“This is something that should be evaluated on present safety knowledge.”

Geelong council’s acting director of city services, Peter Godfrey, said public consultation has been going on for a decade.

“Traffic signals allow the management of a greater number of vehicles and will also provide safe pedestrian crossing,” he said last month.