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Residents ignored on traffic plan, Liberal claims |
Liberal representative for Peats Ms Debra Wales has said that Gosford Council has ignored the concerns of many residents on the Peninsula regarding the Ocean Beach Traffic Study reported to last Tuesday night's council meeting.
"After numerous petitions, letters and presentations to councillors, the residents concerns of the Peninsula have been completely ignored," said Ms Wales.
"I have already voiced concerns over the proposed two sets of traffic lights to be installed on Ocean Beach at Dunban and MacMasters Rd instead of the studies' recommended choice of two lane roundabouts.
"I have also pushed for pedestrian lights at the South Woy Woy Primary School which has been completely ignored by Council at last Tuesday's meeting," said Ms Wales.
"What is more disturbing is that Dorothy Ave is to be closed for a bus bay to be constructed despite the objections by residents.
"They have been completely ignored.
"Nearly all the residents of Dorothy Ave and surrounding streets have lodged an objection with council and yet, no where in the report to councillors is this stated.
"In fact, what is more disturbing is that council was informed at a recent presentation that the residents did not have an objection to the closure of their street," said Ms Wales.
"This will force residents to use Onslow St which is little more than a goat track at present. This is very short-sighted."
Ms Wales said that council's report is recommending the installation of two sets of traffic lights at Dunban Rd and MacMasters Rd together with the making of a clearway on Ocean Beach Rd for a cycle lane which will take away parking for many residents in front of their homes.
"Council is justifying the traffic lights based on the supposed pedestrian desire lines at Rogers Park," Ms Wales said.
"Yet council has conceded that they have not even undertaken a pedestrian count on Ocean Beach to qualify this assumption.
"It is simple commonsense that you would place the pedestrian lights where school children and residents are crossing at South Woy Woy Primary rather than down the road where people don't cross.
"This proposal is absurd.
"At a time when we are already experiencing long delays at the recently installed traffic lights on Blackwall Rd, it seems ridiculous to contemplate more traffic lights at Dunban and MacMasters Rd.
"The recommended roundabouts in the traffic report are more practical and keep the traffic flowing.
"If council can spend a million dollars constructing a roundabout at a T-intersection on a fairly quiet Mt Ettalong Rd, then surely it's good enough for a busy Ocean Beach Rd."
Press release, November 24 Ms Debra Wales