COUNCILLOR Warren Aubin has sparked a new controversy over the Mitre, Suttor and Lambert street intersection, saying a roundabout may be too expensive a solution.
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The intersection was thrust back into the spotlight last November when a car ploughed into a fence at the Assumption School.
Kent and Dianne McNab saw the incident as the last straw and embarked on a powerful campaign to see Bathurst Regional Council finally address the confusing intersection.
Their investigations revealed that council resolved in 1999 to install a roundabout, subject to funding.
But at last week’s policy committee meeting, Cr Aubin questioned whether a roundabout would be “the correct fix”.
“If the intersection was aligned, the roundabout that’s got to go on that corner is probably better than $1 million worth for the services that are under that road,” he said.
Cr Aubin said safety definitely needed to be improved at the intersection, but there may be other more cost-effective solutions.
He suggested realigning the intersection so Suttor Street flowed smoothly onto Lambert Street.
“I just don’t think a roundabout is the right fit. The intersection just doesn’t look right for it to me and I think it is a lot of money to be spent on an intersection that is busy twice a day,” he said.
The McNabs, who were at the meeting when the comments were made, have since fired back, saying Cr Aubin was not qualified to determine the solution for that intersection.
They cited a report from 1999 that favoured a roundabout.
“The November 1999 report has a plan with an option for T-junction or a roundabout and the recommendation from the chief engineer was a roundabout,” Mr McNab said.
“It has been recommended by an engineer. Warren Aubin isn’t an engineer.”
The couple also refuted Cr Aubin’s claims that the intersection was only busy twice a day, saying that accidents have occurred at other times during school days and on weekends.
Mr and Mrs McNab will attend the next meeting of council on April 19 and are encouraging anyone who has been a victim of the intersection to attend and share their experience with councillors.
