The last thing we need is another roundabout

I write in reference to the story "One more week to comment on roundabout plans" (Peninsula News, November 11) about the $7 million upgrade to the Maitland Bay Dr and Picnic Pde intersection at Ettalong Beach.

I say: No, no, no, no no, no!!!!!

The last thing we need on the Peninsula is another damn roundabout.

It has been shown time and again that roundabouts simply do not work in this country because, quite frankly, very few people - and this includes the Peninsula - know how to use them correctly.

A case in point: Try exiting Wellington St on to Ocean Beach Rd and see how you go.

Every day there are near misses as drivers refuse to obey the road rules.

I am sick and tired of nearly getting cleaned up by ignorant motorists approaching this roundabout from Ocean Beach Rd heading south, while hurtling through at warp speed, as they believe they have right of way.

They do not.

This road rule was abolished many years ago, and yet to many motorists, this "rule" still exists.

As it stands, there is at Maitland Bay Drive and Picnic Pde, a very good right hand turning lane which works very well.

Why change it?

A roundabout here would create a build-up of traffic along Picnic Pde right back to Ettalong Beach shopping centre - just as the ill-conceived traffic lights at the intersection of McMasters Rd and Ocean Beach Rd have caused.

It is damn near impossible to exit right out of Dunban Rd because traffic, mostly south bound, continues to block access to traffic from Dunban Rd.

Prior to these lights going in, it was a relatively easy to make that right hand turn.

It isn't anymore.

As for the projected $7 million to build the damn thing, someone is kidding aren't they?

I would be amazed if this thing could not be built for under $500,000, surely?

A roundabout at Maitland Bay Dr and Picnic Pde?

This would have to be one of the dumbest decisions ever!

Email, 18 Nov 2019

Alan Mitchell, Umina Beach.