Game day ‘rat running’ causes thousands in damage, safety fears

Residents in the narrow streets surrounding Suncorp stadium are calling for better traffic management after Origin Game Two led to verbal arguments and smashed side mirrors.

Residents who have been directing cars and confronting “aggressive” drivers in the narrow streets surrounding Suncorp Stadium are calling for better traffic management.

The Milton stadium has been the scheduled venue for three games across the past 11 days.

The sold out State of Origin game on July 27 led to verbal arguments and smashed side mirrors with the residents and cars in Paddington.

There was a reprieve with a smaller crowd and afternoon timeslot for the Broncos v Sharks home game on Sunday but residents were again concerned ahead of tonight’s Wallabies-France game.

Traffic management on game day at Suncorp Stadium. Wellington Road Paddington. Pic: Steve Pohlner

Upper Cairns Tce resident’s Trevor Grigg and Peter, who asked his surname be omitted, said they have spent thousands fixing damage caused before and after sporting events at the stadium.

Mr Grigg said he began helping drivers reverse out of the dead end street and placed traffic cones around his car after it was hit “about a dozen times”.

“You hear the crunch and race outside to see someone tearing down the street,” he said.

“I’ve spent $2,000 in repairs over the last seven years and it’s always a hit and run.

“Everyone in our street is frustrated about the fact nothing seems to be done about this.”

Mr Grigg believed more signage and restricting Wellington Rd to one-way traffic would make the street safer.

His neighbour Peter, who lives on Wellington Rd, said a one-way street would be frustrating for residents who have limited off-street parking.

He instead touted traffic controllers and closing off more streets surrounding Suncorp during events to avoid drivers becoming frustrated or stuck while trying to squeeze through.

“We’ve had our cars keyed to being smashed by another car- side mirrors are the big one- and the problem is predominantly around game day,” he said.

“I’m concerned not only for our own property but for ourselves too because we have confronted some drivers who became aggressive trying to get home after a bad result at the stadium.”

A side mirror smashed by a car passing in the narrow streets of Paddington.

Dashcam footage from outside his home on June 27 caught a driver reversing into his car when there wasn’t enough space for it to continue down the road.

The footage was passed to police after the driver drove from the scene.

Paddington Ward Councillor Peter Matic said it was concerning to learn cars were being damaged due to “rat running” on side streets around Suncorp Stadium.

He said he was planning a meeting with Suncorp Stadium representatives and police to raise residents’ concerns about Suncorp’s traffic management plan.

“The council has also raised the issue at a stakeholder meeting with Suncorp Stadium this month and requested Suncorp Stadium address the issue as part of their traffic management plan,” Cr Matic said.

“I have let those residents who contacted my office know about the upcoming meeting and look forward to providing them with an update.

“In the meantime, I want to remind all motorists to always drive safely and considerately, especially along the narrower streets near the busy Suncorp Stadium.”

A Suncorp Stadium spokesman said the stadium went to great lengths to keep traffic out of the Lang Park traffic area which was a key part of the traffic management plan.

“We have asked police for a report on any incident and will determine the course of action with police and council once we have that information,” he said.