FLOODWATERS have wreaked havoc on Hereford Street over the last fortnight and councillors have had enough.
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The issue of the Gordon Edgell Bridge on Hereford Street was raised at Bathurst Regional Council’s meeting on Wednesday night.
Several councillors called for the bridge to be raised after it was submerged by Macquarie River floodwaters twice in as many weeks.
Councillor Michael Coote led the charge, saying the submersion of the bridge had impacted on people who commute to Bathurst from the growing areas of Trinity Heights, Laffing Waters and Eglinton.
"I think we need to start having a look at maybe doing something with the low level bridge, but maybe also the access from Eglinton into the city,” he said.
In addition to raising the Gordon Edgell Bridge, Cr Coote believes both Hereford Street and Eglinton Road need to be widened to dual lanes in both directions to support the city’s growing population in the future.
He said he’d raised this issue years ago, but it was now time to think seriously.
“I just think that we need to be mindful and as a council we need to look at what we're looking for in the future and what kind of infrastructure we will need,” he said.
Councillor Greg Westman agreed with Cr Coote’s comments.
“I certainly would still like to see Hereford Street and Eglinton Road become dual lane roads and that low level bridge actually be raised so it is not actually a low level bridge and it is clear of floodwaters,” he said.
