His job often takes him out of the workplace inspecting properties, but any time he has to head up to the Windradyne area in West Bathurst, the quickest way to get out of the CBD is to head up Howick Street.

However, Mr Ison dreads going this way because of the gridlock he often finds during peak periods at the intersection of Howick and George streets.

There is a roundabout at this location, but there’s two pedestrian crossings there and, when it is busy, traffic is held up as they wait for people to cross the street.

So, what can be done to remedy the situation?

Simple. Mr Ison says take away the pedestrian crossings and make them the same as the vehicle priority crossings outside the post office and further down the road between the two shopping centres.

The good news is that Cr Warren Aubin from council’s traffic committee thinks the idea has real merit.

Better still, he’s admitted this intersection is the worst in the city and something has to be done to make it more user-friendly for everyone.

Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) is currently working on plans to remodel the entire intersection and, with their expertise in all matters traffic, should come up with a workable solution. No doubt part of the fix will include examining the impact of the pedestrians crossings. 

As Bathurst continues to grow and prosper, the last thing residents need is a CBD that gets choked with traffic when things get busy.

Most certainly, making the George and Howick streets intersection more user-friendly, so that traffic can flow freely, has to be a top priority as 2015, our bicentennial year, unfolds.