Robert Forbutt from Forbutt’s Keppel Street Pharmacy and Cathy Yeoman from Frank Smith Shoe Repairs and Work Clothing agreed the decision to open the intersection to four-way traffic flow was pure commonsense.

The Western Advocate reported last May that Mr Forbutt and Ms Yeoman believed the restrictions on the intersection were to blame for strangling Keppel Street businesses, effectively cutting access to and from West Bathurst.

Mr Forbutt said the changes announced last week would make Keppel Street more accessible.

“We’re extremely excited that commonsense has prevailed,” Mr Forbutt said. “It’s a win-win situation, both for businesses and customers.

“There was no good reason to do it in the first place, so this is a very sensible decision.”

Mr Forbutt said the current layout of the intersection has had a dire affect on business.

“It’s a matter of inconvenience for our customers,” he said. “They have to drive several blocks in the wrong direction, not to mention that cab fares increased for our customers that don’t drive.”

Bathurst Regional Council made a request to the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) in March this year to change the traffic signals to allow four-way flow, after receiving resounding requests - including a petition - from the public.

Ms Yeoman agreed news of the changes had inspired a collective sigh of relief from residents and business owners alike.

“It’s a little victory for us,” she said. “We had lots of people comment that they had to go the long way round to get to us.

“Soon, getting from one side of town to the other will be much easier. We’ll be able to zip across the highway instead of going the round about way.

Ms Yeoman said she believed the flow of traffic throughout the central business district will improve significantly, adding it will take pressure of other roads.