Flash-flooding from Raglan Creek saw water gushing across the Great Western Highway near Bunnings, closing one westbound lane as hundreds of motorists were making their way to work and school.

Traffic was banked up along Boyd Street up to Limekilns Road past Kelso High, and to the Oberon turnoff on the Sydney Road.

The scene has been a regular occurrence over the years, but Bathurst Regional Council is working on a solution.

Engineering services director Doug Patterson last year put a report into council stating the road is equipped for floods in varying levels.

The report stated currently the road near Raglan Creek can manage some flood water, but with the amount of rain we have experienced in the past five days it has not been able to cope.

The report continued saying Raglan Creek will still be able to manage some rain, but the channel which is being developed, will ensure major rain fall will go straight into Macquarie River, avoiding the road.

The report also detailed how Bathurst Regional Council’s engineering department has also investigated ways of reducing the risk of flooding across the Great Western Highway and proposed building a culvert to divert excess flows from Raglan Creek to the Macquarie River.

Council has already carried out survey and preliminary design work, and an environmental review of the plan.

In addition council has bought land beside the highway to allow for the construction of the culvert.