The president of The Assumption School Parents and Friends Association (P and F) recently liaised with the equivalent groups at other schools in West Bathurst to get students together for a photo to show the community just who they want to protect. 

One of the schools involved was Denison College Bathurst campus and two of its senior students, Olivia Pugh and Felicity Hickey had plenty to say about the intersection.

As new drivers who live and attend school in the area, they are well aware of just how hard it can be to navigate the confusing spot.

“I drive to school every morning, so I’ve noticed it is pretty dangerous and a roundabout would be pretty good,” Ms Hickey said.

She is currently a learner driver, due to attempt her Provisional 1 test this month, and said it has been hard to understand how to approach the intersection.

“It is so hard. Just yesterday (Thursday) I was looking both ways and I still didn’t know what to do,” Ms Hickey said.

Ms Pugh said having so many streets and driveways in such close proximity made driving difficult and a roundabout would likely ease the confusion.

“I tend to avoid it because I know how it is going to be and you don’t know what other people are going to do,” she said. 

The campaign to fix the intersection got its start at the end of November last year after West Bathurst residents Kent and Dianne McNab saw a car plough into the fence of The Assumption School. 

They have since started a petition, which has received more than 4000 signatures, spoken to residents, visited schools and attended every council meeting to spread the word. 

Their persistence led to a report being prepared for council on the intersection, in which a roundabout was recommended, and money being allocated in the draft 2017-18 budget to implement a solution. 

Mrs McNab said 1700 school students are at risk of being hit by a car on their way to and from school every single day and council needs to confirm that there will be a solution put in place in the next financial year.

“It is a matter of them confirming in their upcoming meeting that the works program will get done regardless of the Black Spot funding [being available],” she said.

The couple will continue their campaign until a roundabout, as per the recommendation, is installed. 

“We don’t want anyone to get killed while we're here,” Mr McNab said.

“We’re people of action and we’re not going to rest until it is fixed.”