New safety measure implemented along “nightmare” road

BELLARINE resident Trevor Anderson is among the many celebrating new safety measures implemented along Tivoli Drive.

“Congratulations to the Curlewis Residents, Libby Coker and the City of Greater Geelong, for their contribution in making the road much safer,” he said.

New safety measures include speed humps to slow down traffic and pedestrian lights to assist people moving across the area.

Mr Anderson, who is an advocate for local bike riders, said he was previously “disgusted” by the road when it opened.

“I sent a letter to the City of Greater Geelong telling them that someone was going to be badly hurt or killed if something wasn’t done to fix the road.

“It is easy to criticise people at times but when people make the effort you have to be able to come back the other way and say well done.”

The new measures comes after Corangamite federal member Libby Coker called on the City to listen to residents concerns over the arterial road.

Public outcry formed over the numerous blind spots along the road as well as the speed in which large truck and cars would travel in the area.

Last month, the council confirmed it would designate speed humps to the area to slow down traffic, but Ms Coker petitioned for more substantial upgrades and received more than 200 signatures.

Ms Coker said without the upgrades it would be about five years before residents saw the transformation of the arterial road into a boulevard-styled street as promised in the structure plan.

“Tivoli Drive will not be safe until it is widened and council need to bring forward funding to make this happen as soon as possible.

“I welcome the action they have taken to add speed humps to slow traffic, but this is a Band-Aid, not a solution.”

Ms Coker believed the responses have been mixed, with some residents claiming one speed hump was causing distressing noises from cars and trucks breaking.

“I do note the pedestrian lights have been turn on to enable safe crossing of Bellarine Rail Trail particularly for young families and cyclists,” she said.

“However, it shouldn’t have taken the intervention of a federal MP to get these lights turned on sooner.”

Ms Coker said she would continue to discuss the urgent upgrades with council in the new year.

Despite ongoing talks, Mr Anderson, who previously held frustrations as both a bike rider and pedestrian, has since begun to feel safe again.

“I don’t think there will be anyone hurt whereas it was a big possibly before that.

“I wanted to thank the people involved for getting it to where it is now, I am so pleased to feel safe and the guys I ride with feel so much more comfortable getting across that area too.”