A ROUNDABOUT in a small supermarket carpark is causing a headache for both motorists and road authorities.
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The roundabout, located at a Woolworths carpark on the corner of Hertford Street and Albert Street, was installed relatively recently. Ever since its installation motorists have been wondering why.
Ballarat City Council mayor Des Hudson confirmed council has received dozens of complaints about the oddly positioned roundabout – but says the roundabout is not in the council’s jurisdiction and they have no powers to do anything about it.
“We have had a number of complaints and concerns have been raised … people have tripped on the roundabout,” Cr Hudson said. “It is privately owned … so people need to report it to Woolworths.”
Ballarat driver Melissa Scott wants an urgent change to the roundabout after her husband was recently injured when crossing the carpark.
“There is no safe place to cross,” Ms Scott said.
"The roundabout needs to be removed immediately as I have seen so many near misses as people seem to ignore the road markings as they are conflicting (and confusing),” Ms Scott said,
Ms Scott said “broken lines” and conflicting signage near the Albert Street entrance caused confusion for motorists who ended up ignoring and driving however they wanted to. At one part of the intersection coming in the entrance from Albert Street, past Bakers Delight, it has broken lines - stating it’s a give way (zone), but it also has left turn only.
“It’s being ignored and people are driving straight and turning right towards Hertford Street - which is disappointing. It's such a mess and an accident waiting to happen.”
The owners of the carpark were contacted for comment however no response was provided by time of publication. Senior Sergeant Pat Cleary has previously urged drivers to be aware when travelling in roundabouts with the majority of collisions at roundabouts occurring when people are not aware of other vehicles.
VicRoads Operations Manager Brad Pryor said the authority had no recorded complaints about the roundabout – but again had no powers to implement change. “VicRoads cannot make the owners undertake any changes within private property. Concerned drivers should raise their issues with the property owner.”