After a long wait, Bathurst Regional Council has received the results of a Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) traffic study on the George Street and Howick Street intersection.

The recommendation from the RMS was that council continue to use a roundabout as the primary method for controlling traffic.

Councillor Warren Aubin said the result of the study meant planning could finally get underway to improve the busy intersection, something he has long wanted.

“We’ve spoken about the intersection at some length, but now the recommendation has come down from the RMS, we will have to sit down and discuss it with the RMS and the police with the traffic committee,” he said.

Installing traffic lights was one of the suggestions under consideration to improve the intersection, but this was proven unsuitable in the RMS traffic study.

“This modelling showed replacing the existing roundabout with traffic lights would not improve traffic flow,” a RMS spokesperson said.

“Traffic lights would also adversely impact the intersection of Durham Street (the Great Western Highway) and George Street, which already is congested during peak times.”

Cr Aubin said he was pleased the recommendation was for a roundabout.

“I thought traffic lights would just not let the traffic flow as well through the intersection,”  he said.

He went on to say that the pedestrian crossings on either side of the intersection, not the roundabout, were the catalyst of the traffic issues.

While the outcome is subject to discussions at the next traffic committee meeting, he said the crossings may be replaced with the same system used in front of the post office on Howick Street.

This gives priority to motorists, not pedestrians. 

Cr Aubin said the roundabout currently in use would also be replaced.

“That roundabout will be taken off and the intersection will be totally refurbished,” he said.

“A newer style roundabout will be put down, like the one in Rankin Street and Piper Street.”

The RMS spokesperson said that, as George Street and Howick Street are local roads, it is up to council to decide on any changes that are made to the intersection.

The next traffic committee meeting will be held in four weeks time.

Cr Aubin said he expected works to improve the intersection would be complete by early next year.