IT concerns me when a developer says a location is the only suitable site in Bathurst for a Taco Bell store.

While I do not live in the immediate vicinity of the proposed Taco Bell site on the corner of Stewart Street and Howick Street, I am aware of numerous traffic issues that already exist with that intersection.

Approaching Stewart Street in either direction along Howick Street, only left hand turns are permitted.

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However, you regularly see vehicles driving directly across Stewart Street, against the traffic and often resulting in near misses.

This is without there being the "attraction" of a store like Taco Bell on the corner to encourage such driving behaviour.

You also see vehicles heading in a westerly direction along Stewart Street doing U-turns at the corner, and this will only be exacerbated if there is a fast food outlet there.

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The site is also in what is predominantly a residential area.

While the current zoning would technically allow approval of a fast food outlet, the zoning is there for the existing Budget/Avis business on the site, a business that generates significantly less vehicle and pedestrian traffic than would fast food.

I urge councillors not to be bullied by the Taco Bell developers.

This is not the only suitable site in Bathurst for a Taco Bell operation.

The application for this site should be rejected, with the developer being given assistance by Bathurst Regional Council to identify another suitable location that does not impinge on traffic flow.