On the weekend I had the wonderful opportunity to escape my teething toddler for an hour or two.
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It was going to take a lot to stand in my way but something quite literally did - the new roundabout on Mitchell Parade in Mollymook.
Ello, ello, what do we have here? Another roundabout. Brilliant.
Money for the $140,000 project at the intersection of Donlan Road and Mitchell Parade was provided by RMS under the NSW Safer Roads program. Apart from resolving traffic congestion at the intersection, the project was pitched as providing the benefits of speed reduction in the area and improvements to pedestrian safety.
We've spoken to a few people who access the roundabout regularly and here's the verdict on this unwelcome impostor.
The roundabout seems too large for the area and causes a pretty severe right-hand turn when travelling north.
It's on of the main routes to Narrawallee and I understand there needed to be some kind of traffic management at the intersection, but a roundabout of this size with such a violent turn could just exacerbate the problem as it slows traffic so much.
Also, there seems to be confusion among drivers about whether an indicator is needed and how to use their indicators at this roundabout, with incorrect indicator use impacting others waiting to enter the roundabout.
A Mollymook mum who lives in the area and hits the footpath with her pram said it has added an adrenaline fueled edge to her daily walks as she lives in fear of a car mounting the gutter when trying to negotiate the turns.
I'm not against roundabouts. I drive to Nowra three days a week and tolerate the 65205467529 roundabouts that act as a buffer between South Nowra and the CBD.
I also think there's a reason community members have been petitioning for so long to get a roundabout at the intersection of the Princes Highway and Pitman Avenue. If you try to get out onto the highway at Christmas time, it's New Year's Day before you find yourself on your travels again.
But this new roundabout on Mitchell Parade? You sir, are not my friend.
Do you have an opinion on this? Send us a letter.
