Call for action at crossing

Long-time Piper Street resident Margaret Wood isn’t surprised the intersection of Rankin and Piper streets has become a traffic hot spot.

And a three-car pile-up last month has prompted Bathurst’s deputy mayor to ask for a review of the intersection. 

Councillor Ian North has asked for investigations into the possibility of having a roundabout installed at the intersection.

Mrs Wood said the traffic situation in her street is “absolutely shocking”.

“You take your life into your own hands if you go through there of a morning, after school or after work in the afternoon,” she said. “I reckon there’s a close shave on that corner at least once a week. But I know there’s dingles all the time, they just don’t get reported.

“The trouble is people just go straight through on Rankin Street and don’t give way to the traffic on Piper Street.

“And when they do give way, they’re trying to sneak through because it’s so busy. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve had to slam on the brakes and pray.”

Mrs Wood said any moves to put in a roundabout would be welcome.

“It might make them slow down a bit,” she said. 

Cr North said a roundabout makes good sense as they are installed at every other intersection heading down Rankin Street after Piper Street, including at Keppel, Russell and Howick streets before the highway at Durham Street.

“Margaret Wood, who lives on Piper Street just down from the highway, as well as Angus Ewin, who also lives nearby, approached me with real concerns,” Cr North said.

“They have been worried for a while as this appears to be becoming a real thoroughfare and it’s only getting worse.

“What worries them is the speed the cars go at coming off the highway (Stewart Street).

“Hopefully we can get something done to make that intersection more user-friendly for everyone.

“What also makes it a tricky intersection is the fact it has traffic median islands on either side and they are a touch off camber so there is some confusion.”