Residents in dark on new lanes

RESIDENTS have been left confused after waking up to find yellow striped lines on major arterial roads across the Gold Coast.

The yellow lines, called Games Lanes, will be used at specific times during the Games to shuttle athletes back and forth between events.

They can only be used by accredited cars, Games shuttles, Translink buses, police and emergency cars.

But with one month out from the Games, most residents had been unaware the lanes were being painted and were confused as to when they would be activated.

In some areas, the were already causing for locals.

“We went to bed one night, and the next morning they were there,” Southport resident Darren Wade said of the Smith St Motorway section.

“Now there’s two different flows of traffic, traffic is worse than it was before.”

He said he expected many people to flout the rules and to continue driving in the lanes after speaking with another motorist about the issue.

“They are a pain in butt,” he said.

“It’s havoc, lanes are backed up to the (Kumbari Ave) lights.”

Local John Cash said while the lanes were necessary, they would simply continue the transport chaos.

A Carrara couple, who wished to be identified only by their first names Pam and Ken, said explanations for locals remained vague.

The Games Lanes will be used in sections on the Smith St Motorway from March 31 to April 15, the Gold Coast Highway from April 2 to April 15, and Nerang Broadbeach Rd and Hooker Boulevard from April 1 to April 15.

The Ross St, Currumburra Rd and Olsen Ave sections will be used from March 30 until the end of the Games. lanes headaches the