WTF: Ring Road confusion, cyclists sent on a long walk, suburban streets feeling squeeze

Why are motorists on the Ring Road apparently losing their way?

WTF: What should this sign say? Pic: Google

They’re the little – and sometimes not so little – things that can really irk us. We’ve asked the people of Geelong to point out the problems that irritate and exasperate and have us all saying, woah, that’s frustrating!

Should this sign say Belmont? Pic: Google Maps

WITH THIS RING, I THEE … CONFUSE

When the Ring Road was opened fifteen years ago, the plan was to give locals and visitors a new, easier way to navigate our city.

But according to Highton resident David, suburb-snubbing signage has drivers losing their way.

“On the Geelong Ring Road, south bound, the exit to Highton and Ceres, indicates Belmont and Ceres, which recently caught out a visitor to our place, where we reside in Highton,” he said.

“Our visitor drove past the exit, as it did not indicate Highton.

Should this sign say Highton? Pic: Google Maps

“Yet on the northbound side of the Ring Road, that same exit, indicates Highton and Ceres.

“Clearly, it beggars belief how the signage gurus from Vic Roads could get something so simple and fundamental, embarrassingly wrong.

“Belmont should still be included, by all means, on both sides of the Ring Road signage.”

In the face of this pathfinding pique, Vic Roads gave the Geelong Advertiser a look behind the curtain at the guidelines that shape these big decisions.

According to the agency, directional signs are chosen based on the end point of the declared road.

In the case of the turn off at Barrabool Rd, the declared end point is the roundabout at Shannon Ave and Mt Pleasant Rd, which is classified as being within Belmont.

This means that it’s actually Belmont that should be required on both signs, not Highton.

Furthermore, technically it’s actually Wandana Heights that’s the first suburb off the Ring Road on Barrabool Rd. It’s enough to leave your head ringing.

IS THAT WHEELY THE BEST PLACE FOR IT?

Local cyclist KJ wrote in earlier in the week with what she described as a “wheely bad gripe” with a revamped railway hub forcing riders to, well, walk a long way before they can pedal.

“The new South Geelong station has opened to no fanfare so far,” she said.

“But heaven help you if you are a cyclist.”

The design gurus have installed 20 bike hoops at the furthest point from the platforms on Swanston St.

“Take a ride down Swanston street yourselves and take a look at stupidity at its finest!”

And so we did. For those who haven’t yet seen the new and South Geelong station, it functions much like the old. The two main entrances are at Yarra St and near Bellarine St.

Cyclists have to walk a full extra block after leaving the station to get to their bikes at Swanston St.

There are a couple of bike loops at the Yarra St entrance, but it’s not hard to imagine them being snapped up quickly. If you’re keen to get people out of cars and using more bikes, this placement doesn’t exactly appear wheely savvy.

Is can be tough to get down Balliang St.

DRIVERS JUST SCRAPING THROUGH

Is it getting harder to drive down Geelong’s suburban roads as more people and more parked cars means a squeeze on our streets?

Well, that’s what Geelong local Inks thinks. In fact, Inks thinks it stinks. She says on-road parking is on the rise.

“This means only one car at a time can drive down that strip of road,” she said.

“You have to think fast as to which car allows which car to go through the narrow road first.”

According to Inks, many people are “complaining of being side-swiped”.

“More people are suggesting never buying a brand-new car because of the increased likelihood of being scratched or scratching other cars as one makes one’s way down these streets,” she said.

“It also makes backing out of your own driveway more difficult with streets blocked up by cars.”

Inks capped off her correspondence by reminding us that other wheeled transport options are also affected – “try being a bike rider, too.”

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Originally published as WTF: Ring Road confusion, cyclists sent on a long walk, suburban streets feeling squeeze