TWO new roundabouts aim to make a busy Bathurst road safer after seven crashes in recent years.
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The roundabouts will be constructed on Rankin Street at its intersections with Lambert and Rocket streets, which are separated by Bathurst Public School.
Engineering director Darren Sturgiss said Bathurst Regional Council received funding for the intersections due to their crash history.
"Both the Lambert and Rocket Street intersections on Rankin Street meet the criteria for blackspot funding based on crash history at the intersections," he said.
"The Lambert Street intersection has recorded four crashes in the last five years, with moderate injuries sustained by four people in three of these crashes.
"The Rocket Street intersection has recorded three crashes in the last five years with moderate injuries sustained by three people in two of these crashes. The roundabout installation at this intersection is designed to reduce the risk of serious injuries to road users."
The Lambert Street intersection has been funded for $115,875 by Australian Government Blackspot funding, while the Rocket Street intersection received $127,625 under the NSW Safer Roads Program.
It comes around nine months after the completion of the upgrade to the intersection of Mitre, Suttor and Lambert streets.
That project failed to qualify for blackspot funding, angering the McNabs, who identified numerous crashes themselves in their campaign for a roundabout.
Dianne McNab said she was "astounded" when she found out the two intersections on Rankin Street had qualified.
"I drove along Rankin Street about a month ago and saw the sign for black spot funding - roundabout and I just was astounded," she said.
"I thought to myself that maybe they learnt a lesson about Mitre, Suttor, Lambert near a school, as Rankin Street is near Bathurst Public School."
She and husband Kent said that all roads around schools needed to be looked at carefully, and they "absolutely" support the plans for Rankin Street.
"We're very much in favour of it and very pleased council as learnt a lesson from Mitre, Suttor, Lambert," Mrs McNab said.
Council closed the intersection for works in April and Mr Sturgiss said they will be closed again soon for the roundabout installations.
"This work is expected to occur in mid-May, and the roundabouts will then be ready for use," he said.
Council has no plans to install any further roundabouts in the immediate future.
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