THE Assumption School Parents and Friends Association has pleaded for “immediate action” at the intersection of Mitre, Lambert and Suttor streets in West Bathurst.
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The group has written a letter to Bathurst Regional Council expressing the concern it holds for safety of students at the school.
“This intersection has long been the cause of great concern given its close proximity to our school and the evident confusion regarding right of way for drivers,” the letter reads.
“The danger this intersection presents to our community has only increased in the past decade with the expansion of the West Bathurst-Windradyne residential area and flow-on increase in cars and school buses.”
Much of the blame for the confusion has been placed on the number of factors a motorist must consider before moving through the intersection, including traffic on several streets and the taxi rank on Mitre Street outside the shops.
The letter also highlighted how common accidents are at the intersection, referencing an incident from November 2016 where a car smashed into the school’s fence.
It could have been much worse if it happened a few minutes earlier.
“This was a dramatic accident, but by no means is it the only one at this intersection,” the letter said.
“It is important to note that traffic incident data will not accurately reflect the number of accidents as it does not record those accidents not processed through the NSW Police Department.
“This intersection is a notorious danger spot, as evidenced from the number of signatures we have seen on the petition to council to fix this problem.”
West Bathurst residents Kent and Dianne McNab started a petition at the end of January to gain support for changes to the intersection.
The petition has more than 1200 signatures already, and the couple is continuing to speak to residents.
The Parents and Friends Association said the lives of Assumption’s students, as well as those at nearby schools, are at stake for as long as the intersection goes unchanged.
“We consider the matter of fixing this intersection one of great urgency and ask that council move to fund or seek state or federal funding that would rectify this dangerous traffic zone this year,” the group said in the letter.
“We do not believe it is safe or prudent to wait any longer.”
