Readers back call for more signage on Pacific Hwy upgrade

DEBATE has flared following this morning’s article about the lack of clear and permanent signage on the Pacific Highway upgrade.

DEBATE has flared following this morning's article about the lack of clear and permanent signage on the Pacific Highway upgrade.

Lismore mayor Jenny Dowell is concerned a lack of signage to Lismore, Nimbin and The Channon is resulting in motorists missing the turn off at Ewingsdale and being directed all the way to Ballina and back to get to Lismore and its villages.

However, Byron Shire mayor Simon Richardson supports the safer highway route via Ballina which alleviates Bangalow congestion.

Over on The Northern Star's Facebook page, our readers had their say on the matter.

Some people said they didn't mind driving on the highway to Ballina before changing onto the Bruxner Highway.

"If coming to Lismore from the Gold Coast it's usually quicker to go though Ballina than Bangalow way. There's always someone driving slow the Bangalow way and hardly and overtaking spots," Brendan Newell said.

Lismore mayor Jenny Dowell is concerned a lack of signage to Lismore, Nimbin and The Channon is resulting in motorists...

Posted by The Northern Star on Monday, February 15, 2016

However, many commenters shared the concerns expressed by Lismore mayor Jenny Dowell.

"Bangalow is faster and the signage is dumb. Does Bangalow have a University? A major hospital? Scores of sporting facilities? No, but can get a great coffee. Jeeez," Mary Maralyn Muskstick Middle said.

"The lack of signage to these place is merely to stop the hundreds of trucks that use Bangalow Road to Lismore as a quick way through. The RMS had always decided that there would be minimal signage for Lismore to stop that issue with the trucks and send them to Ballina to go up the Bruxner," Ben Weatherhead said.

"The problem for locals is easing now as we all know that the signage is poor and through word of mouth are aware how early you need to turn off the hwy. Tourists are a completely different story. Unless they are coming to visit someone and have the heads up on where to turn it is via Ballina for them!" Jade Zwiers said.

Many commenters said that, coming south, they had missed the turn off to Lismore via Bangalow Road, despite being locals - which made them highly concerned for tourists.

"Yes, I've missed the turn off twice & I've lived here for 20yrs. You've really got to be familiar with the turn off or you miss it, both times I had to turn off at Ross Lane," Tracey Blogg said.

"That happened to family who came down from Brisbane on the weekend. There's not enough signage, and it is very confusing for motorists at the moment," Elisha Wilson said.

"That entire stretch of highway is a hot mess. I have twice missed the turn off to Lennox from Ballina (northbound) and had to go as far as Byron before I can turn around," Kiri Dicker said.

"Yes coming from tweed and I'm a local. We've had several visitors miss it and then get very confused thinking Ballina is too far south so trying to find somewhere to turn around," Jennifer Parke said.

However many people said that even if the Bangalow Road option was quicker (there was a lot of debate about that), some choose to drive along the Highway to Ballina and then to Lismore rather than taking Bangalow Road for another reason:

"Due to the state of Bangalow rd we go through to Ballina when we return to Lismore," Ashley Taylor said.

"Why would you want to drive on a goat track instead of the new roads? The time difference is about the same and it's so dangerous on the old road with the trucks!" Suze McLeod said.