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Outsider railed by constant heckling
Hello, long time reader, first time writer here. I’m from out of town but visit regularly for work. Driving for a large transport company, I travel thousands of kilometres each week, crossing the country to deliver goods all over Australia. Having visited many towns and cities in this beautiful nation, I must say the way people in Griffith conduct themselves on the road is loco. They’re off the rails.
In most towns we pass through, myself and my colleagues are held in high e-steam. People will happily give way and let us through so that we can ensure we’re on track to meet our deadlines. It’s a platform for success. However, the abuse we receive each time we make a delivery to this town is first class.
When I’m parked up and tucking into my Subway, they’re usually unloading me at the yard. I get countless locals driving past signalling obscenities in my direction. Coupled with that are the verbal attacks, “Get out of the way!” and “Stay out of our town!” they express. It’s hard to understand why though, as I’m never even on the road and I’m certainly not going anywhere fast.
Through all the abuse, I hold strong and return week after week, proud in the knowledge that my work is helping keep this town alive. Plus, there are still hundreds of people who regularly take time out of their day to line up at the numerous level crossings, sometimes for close to an hour, to welcome me to town. And I certainly wouldn’t want to let my fellow trainspotters down.
N. Jennear, Wagga.
Segregation is the key
As far as I’m concerned, I believe our wonderful little town is being polluted by the likes of privileged vehicle users like A. Costa.
I’m of the opinion that the amount of vehicle users in Griffith is determined exclusively by the amount of car parks available in public areas.
Marginalised cyclists like me are constantly in search of a good fence or, when you’re really lucky, an obscure piece of wrought iron town art to chain our bikes to.
I propose council goes further and invests its healthy surplus into pretty wrought iron fencing down the length of Banna Avenue, to provide better facilities for cyclists, and thus more incentive to ditch four wheels.
The Yoogali cycle way is a good start, but what’s the use if we don’t have a heavy-duty divider between road and path to chain our bikes?
Better yet, I want to see fencing up along side roadways all over town to separate the more cultured and physically active members of our community from the low-brow petrol heads.
And they should pay for it.
– U. Turner, Griffith.
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