NO alternate traffic management measures are anticipated to be needed to support Taco Bell, should the franchise get the green light to open in Bathurst.
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The American fast food chain has submitted plans to Bathurst Regional Council seeking to establish a drive-through restaurant on the corner of Howick and Stewart streets.
Given the location, the proposal has led to concern that patronage to the restaurant could have a significant impact on the intersection of Howick and Stewart streets.
Currently, there is a right turn lane for westbound traffic on Stewart Street to turn into Howick Street, while traffic can turn either left or right coming out of Howick Street on the hospital side.
Vehicles can also cross four lanes to continue straight along Howick Street.
Traffic travelling from the CBD side of Howick Street, however, can only turn left onto Stewart Street.
Councillor Warren Aubin, also a member of council's traffic committee, said there's nothing on the plans submitted so far that suggests alternate traffic management would be needed.
He said a traffic report to council suggests that there will be less traffic than what is seen accessing McDonald's Bathurst and KFC.
"When you look at that intersection, yes it's on a highway and just past an intersection, but it's not so bad in that the main peak hour traffic is about 100 cars, so 50 coming in and 50 coming out," he said.
Had the proposal been for another McDonald's, which is already a well-established and popular brand in Australia, than Cr Aubin would have been more concerned about traffic.
The only concern he has is the impact of cars slowing down to turn into Taco Bell.
"I hate cars slowing down to do a turn when there is traffic coming behind them," he said, but noted it is no different to what is seen at McDonald's.
Before it can go ahead, Cr Aubin said the Taco Bell proposal will need to be reviewed by Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) and given approval.
"The RMS will make a call on this and take into account future growth and if they don't think it is acceptable, they'll say that," he said.
Should the restaurant become more successful than anticipated, Cr Aubin said "it's always possible" to re-examine the impact of it on the intersection of Howick and Stewart streets.
The development as a whole is generating support from Bathurst councillors, including Alex Christian and now Cr Aubin.
They agree that Taco Bell would have done its research before choosing Bathurst as one of its next locations, and will likely be a success.
"It's one of those things that, when you look at the Gateway out at Kelso, there's another KFC going there," Cr Aubin said. "People jump up and down saying 'Not another KFC, why don't you bring Hogs Breath, Oporto or Oliver's?'. Well, here you go, here's something totally different."
He added that it would not only be an investment into Bathurst, but create jobs for younger people.
It is thought the development application won't be considered for approval until mid 2020, subject to other studies that need to be done.