By Shelby Brooks
‘Why would someone enter a town they can’t exit safely?’ is the question Lang Lang locals have been asking for years.
In an effort to improve safety, the roundabout at the intersection of the South Gippsland Freeway and Westernport Road was built over a decade ago, but locals argue it’s done nothing but cause headaches since.
The problem of giving way to the constant stream of traffic travelling from Melbourne to Bass Coast and South Gippsland is only exacerbated at school holiday time and locals have had enough.
‘Laps for Locals’ have become a regular occurrence, where someone will lap the roundabout in an attempt to break the traffic to allow those waiting to exit Lang Lang to enter the roundabout.
Lang Lang resident and business owner Cynthia Gane said there can be a long line of cars on Westernport Road, often back as far as the Showgrounds, waiting to enter the roundabout on a public holiday or long weekend.
“Traffic barrels into the roundabout at 100km/hr without looking,” Ms Gane said.
“The traffic out of Lang Lang isn’t game to pull out in front.
“It’s been an issue since day one, it’s never worked.”
Also making the situation difficult is the fact that Westernport Road has a deep drain either side of it and no shoulder, making it impossible to turn around if you get stuck waiting.
“There’s nowhere to go, you can’t turn around,” Ms Gane said.
“The only alternative is to go around the back roads miles out of your way.”
And it’s not just cars that find the roundabout an issue.
V/Line buses and sand trucks also regularly use the roundabout and get stuck in line waiting their turn.
An impromptu town meeting was held Friday 9 April when a Gazette journalist came down to hear the concerns of locals.
“The problem with the roundabout is that there is not enough traffic coming from the other way doing a right hand turn to allow us to get out,” one resident said.
“It’s not a very curvy roundabout so they can drive through very quickly at 100 clicks and just keep going if you’re brave enough,” another said.
Locals also brought up the fact the town has had three new estates built in the recent years, increasing the town population significantly.
“It’s because we have so many more people in the town. This used to be a little town of 900 now we have 5,000 people or something. They haven’t moved with the times,” another local said.
Member for Monash Russell Broadbent said he lived the issue because he spends half his time at Phillip Island.
“The amenity of the whole town is reduced because of it,” he said.
“What VicRoads need to is put a left hand turn access lane to the highway, which they put on a lot of roundabouts… or they need lights on the roundabout with a stop signal so that cars can access it safely.”
Although it is a state issue being VicRoads, Mr Broadbent said he was “absolutely” keen to meet with locals to discuss the issue further.
The Department for Transport confirmed there was currently no plans to upgrade the intersection, however Metro South East executive director Vince Punaro said they were in regular contact with Cardinia Shire Council concerning traffic flow on local roads.
“The Department of Transport is aware of high traffic volumes on Westernport Road and South Gippsland Freeway and is continuing to work with the Cardinia Shire Council on monitoring traffic flow, particularly as the population increases,” he said.
Bass MP Jordan Crugnale said she will continue to work with the community to ensure traffic flows smoothly onto the freeway.
“The Department of Transport is working closely with Cardinia Shire Council to monitor traffic in this area to ensure the road infrastructure needs of the growing community of Lang Lang,” she said.
“I know this is a busy intersection and a vital thoroughfare for Lang Lang.
“I have been contacted by local residents over the course of the year and have encouraged people to also formally log their request through the VicRoads feedback form.”
