Council changes Mutu St plan

Gosford Council has resolved to publicly advertise a proposal to prevent all entry into Mutu St from Ocean Beach Rd in Woy Woy at the recommendation of the Local Traffic Committee.

The option of extending the kerb to block half of Mutu St at Ocean Beach Rd and allow left turn only exit from Mutu St onto Ocean Beach Rd would enhance pedestrian and motorist safety, according to a council report.

Council has requested a further report be made to the traffic committee on comments received as part of the proposal process.

The issue of safety concerns at the intersection was previously addressed at a committee meeting in August last year for the enforcement of no right turn movements for motorists travelling southbound from Ocean Beach Rd to Mutu St.

In September last year, council adopted the committee's recommendation of a 29-metre median be installed in Ocean Beach Rd as soon as the work could be scheduled.

"Just prior to the construction, and as the work was being marked out, concerns were expressed by the owners of two adjacent properties (32 and 34 Ocean Beach Rd)," a council report stated.

"They indicated that large vehicles enter and exit their properties and would be unable to manoeuvre over half the carriageway width of Ocean Beach Rd.

"In addition, these vehicles would not be able to negotiate the roundabout at Rawson Rd.

"Investigations have revealed that the existing design would cater for semi-trailers entering and exiting those two properties within half the carriageway width, and that these large vehicles are able to negotiate the roundabout at Rawson Rd or turn into Rawson Rd and then onto Railway St.

"In this way the proposed already adopted as been confirmed as technically viable.

"However, the further investigation has confirmed the technical viability of physically blocking access into the northern end of Mutu St via a kerb extension rather than the central median in Ocean Beach Rd originally proposed.

"In view of all circumstances, it is recommended that kerb extension be constructed to block half of Mutu St at Ocean Beach Rd and allow left turn only exit from Mutu St to Ocean Beach Rd."

Council agenda TR.10.08, 2 Mar 2010