Council faces safety call

Gosford Council is facing a call to do more to improve safety near the Ryans Rd and Turana Cl intersection in Umina.

The council has already agreed to change the right of way rules and linemarking at the intersection.

However, the resident whose concern led to the changes has urged the council to install traffic calming as well.

Ms Loren Savage said she believed the intersection was still a "death trap" despite council's attempts to change the area's traffic conditions.

"There are several young children in the area whose safety is being compromised as a result of the road being used as a speedway for some motorists.

"I am about to start a family myself and it would be tragic to see anyone hurt or killed from something that could have been preventable."

Ms Savage said she believed the road needed some sort of traffic-calming device to slow down motorists.

"I contacted council following an accident that occurred at the intersection several weeks ago and although it is good to see they have listened to my initial concerns I really think something else needs to be done to slow traffic down," Ms Savage said.

Council agreed to replace the original give way sign and linemarking against Ryans Rd at Turana Cl with a give way sign against Turana Cl to "improve the safety of the area" as well as place a centreline marking around the bend in Ryans Rd near Turana Cl to enhance lane discipline.

As a result of the decision of the Local Traffic Committee, intersection warning signs were installed in Ryans Rd on the westbound approach to Turana Cl and the southbound approach to Lentara Rd.

A staff report to Gosford Council stated last month that a concerned resident had reported that drivers would exit Turana Rd with right of way but with restricted vision.

"The sign configuration does not comply with the standard T-junction rule, and may confuse motorists travelling eastbound along Ryans Rd as it is difficult to see those cars exiting Turana Cl," the report stated.

"The resident has requested that Turana Cl also be provided with a give way sign.

"The four-way intersection in this area has two give way signs and the associated line markings, one on Ryans Rd and one on Lentara Rd.

"The placement of a third give way sign at the four-way intersection could lead to a more confusing and hazardous environment instead of improving safety.

"It is recommended that the give way sign and line marking on Ryans Rd be removed and the give way placed against Turana Cl.

"In this way, standard T-junction regulation of Turana Cl at Ryans Rd would be established.

"The Local Traffic Committee was of the view that lane discipline at the bend in Ryans Rd would be enhanced by the provision of a centreline in the vicinity of Turana Cl."

Clare Graham, 21 Apr 2010 Interviewee: Loren Savage, Umina Council agenda TR.10.07, 2 Mar 2010