A RECOMMENDATION that Bathurst Regional Council calls for tenders to build a roundabout at the city’s worst intersection is the surest sign yet that a two-year fight for action is almost over.
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West Bathurst residents Kent and Diane McNab have been lobbying for a roundabout at the intersection of Suttor, Mitre and Lambert streets since witnessing a serious crash in 2016.
The pair has collected more than 5000 signatures supporting their campaign and they have addressed council more than a dozen times each to push their case.
They are now closer than ever to victory, with a report to Wednesday night’s council meeting recommending tenders be called once construction plans for the roundabout are finalised.
Draft plans for the intersection were placed on public exhibition in June and council received 101 submissions from 95 individuals and organisations.
The report to councillors by engineering services director Darren Sturgiss notes that while most submissions supported a roundabout, some raised concerns about particular designs issues – including a loss of parking near the Suttor Street shops.
“Multiple submissions, including the current tenants of each shop and residents in the area who rely on these shops, objected to the removal of the parking lot on the southern side of Suttor Street,” the report states.
“It was noted that this, coupled with the removal of the pedestrian crossing over Suttor Street, would substantially reduce the patronage these businesses experience.
“It is necessary to remove the existing parking lot to construct a roundabout at this intersection.
“Preliminary plans proposed an indented parking bay in front of the businesses, but this could not be incorporated into the final design due to geometric constraints.
“While parking on the opposite side of the road is not ideal, this will still ensure parking is available for access to the shops.”
Other objections raised in the submissions included:
- Removal of a pedestrian crossing on Suttor Street.
- The negative impact on adjacent businesses and road users during construction.
- The impact on taxi companies who would lose the rank on Mitre Street.
- The high cost of the project, with $1.7 million budgeted so far.
- Vehicles speeding through the new intersection.
However, Mr Sturgiss recommended that councillors vote to proceed with the roundabout project and call tenders “at the earliest possible date”.