Rob Collins said the intersection was raised as an issue five years ago with council but advocates for the upgrade eventually became disillusioned after a disappointing response from council.  

Late last year, West Bathurst residents Kent and Dianne McNab, started a petition to have the intersection upgraded with a roundabout following a collision which saw a car mount the footpath and crash into the fence of Assumption School just 30 minutes after classes had begun.

That petition now has in excess of  4,000 signatures.

Mr Collins said he was pleased to see the issue has been raised again, saying there are serious safety concerns at the intersection.

Mr Collins also lives nearby and said he and his wife use the intersection on a daily basis, and have noticed a number of issues, namely very heavy traffic flows around 9am and 3pm, coupled with school buses, parent pick ups, children crossing Mitre Street under the control of a lolly pop man.

“The road is very busy at 9am and 3pm. We live nearby  and there are queues of traffic, 70 metres long, and kids everywhere.

“The rest of the time you have to be very careful, because the drivers are not sure if a car is going to turn or go straight ahead, it’s very confusing.

He also said there is an overhanging tree branch at the corner of Suttor and Mitre Street which interferes with large vehicles. 

As it stands a report concerning the roundabout was prepared and presented to Bathurst Regional Council at a meeting in April with a recommendation that Suttor Street be realigned and a roundabout installed.

On May 3 the draft budget was presented to council and in that $1.7 million was set aside for the roundabout with council hoping to obtain the other half through Black Spot Funding.

If the funding is not forth coming council will be forced to review the situation.

Mr McNab encouraged those concerned to speak up, before submissions on the council budget close on Tuesday, June 6.