Blocking lanes

A good point made by Travis Edwards in his letter Stupid driving’ (Gaz 5/6) concerns ‘blocking both lanes when turning right at intersections such as at the end of Burke St’. The reference is to its intersection with Howitt St/South Rd, Warragul.

Early in 2016, I suggested to Baw Baw Shire Council that a lane-dividing line should be marked on the Burke St approach to this intersection, which was done.

Six months or so later, it was evident that the markings were wearing away, so early in 2017 I again contacted council and was told the markings would be refreshed with longer-lasting paint.

This didn’t happen, and later last year – by which time the markings were all but obliterated – I raised the issue with council yet again. It transpired then that, although Burke St is a Shire road, the intersection is under VicRoads control and marking the approach is its responsibility.

In November, VicRoads advised that the remarking would be done in January. Once again, this didn’t happen, and four months later it still hasn’t happened.

Thoughtless drivers certainly do contribute to hold-ups at this intersection by blocking both lanes, but they would be much less likely to do so were the lanes marked by a dividing line.

In this particular case, therefore, failure to renew the original markings is as much to blame as poor driving.

My recent requests to VicRoads for information about its intentions have not been answered. John Hart, Warragul