Residents of Kelso Street and surrounding streets received a letter from Singleton Council on Tuesday advising them of a proposal to make a section of Kelso Street (between Edward Street and Munro Lane) one-way.
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This would result in traffic heading from the New England Highway to John Street being able to do so but on their return trip they would have to travel along Munro Lane then make a left hand turn into Bathurst Street then a right hand turn into Wynyard Street then a right hand turn into Church Street before a left hand turn into Edward Street and then onto Kelso Street.
Even if they were allowed to head straight down Wynyard Street they would still have to make a series of turns before returning to Kelso Street.
This maybe okay for a light vehicle but according to long term Kelso Street resident Neville Johnson when this traffic plan was put in place more than 20 years ago the damage to the road surface from turning semi-trailers meant Council abandoned the project.
Mr Johnson’s home is located in the section that was previously made one-way and will be once again if this latest proposal gets the green light.
“So why on earth would they try it again especially as the number of heavy vehicles using the road has quadrupled in that time,” he said.
“When it was last used we may have had five heavy vehicles coming down Kelso Street each day now we have at least 50.
“And imagine the damage they will cause to the road in hot weather as they zigzag towards the highway. Plus what happens when they miss the turn into Edward Street in the early hours of the morning and end up heading towards the railway line unable to turn around. The concept was bad twenty plus years ago and is even more stupid now.”
Peter McMurray, Council’s Manager Infrastructure Strategy, Planning and Programming said “Council has written to residents of Kelso Street and surrounding streets to advise of a proposal to make Kelso Street one way traffic only between Edward Street and Munro Lane.
“The proposal will allow on street parallel parking along this section of the road and improve safety at the Kelso Street/Church Street intersection by reducing traffic volumes.
“The proposal precedes future plans to improve the management of storm water along the road.
“There have been ongoing investigations of options for Kelso Street. However, this proposal is based on current traffic conditions and future infrastructure needs.”
Mr McMurray said feedback received from the community will be included in a report for Councillors to make a determination on the proposal.
In response Mr Johnson said after the previous failed one-way attempt Council told the residents they would widen Kelso Street.
“For decades Council prohibited any development in our section of Kelso Street saying they would widen the road. Now they have decided to take the cheapest option to solve traffic problems in the street rather than do the job properly and widen the road and fix the drainage issues at the same time,” he said.
He is angered by the stupidity of the proposal saying not only will residents in neigbouring streets be severely impacted but traffic travelling one-way down Kelso Street will have nothing to slow them down as oncoming traffic is the only thing that actually slows drivers down.
“Speed humps mean nothing, in fact for some drivers its an added thrill – so if Kelso Street has a one-way section before the intersection with Church Street then I am afraid speeding vehicles will collide at that intersection as they have tragically in the past,” he said.
“Without oncoming traffic our section of Kelso Street will be turned into a racetrack.”
Council is asking affected residents to provide feedback about the proposal via a survey by March 29.
A community information session will also be held for affected residents later this month.
Louise Nichols
From cattle to coal. Once a specialist agriculture writer today its about community, in particular, the Upper Hunter. I have lived and worked in the region for more than 30 years. Land use issues and the future direction of our region. But you cannot take ag out of the picture - our food and how we grow it is the basis of all life. Covering the Hunter and Mid North Coast rural issues is now part of my role with ACM.
From cattle to coal. Once a specialist agriculture writer today its about community, in particular, the Upper Hunter. I have lived and worked in the region for more than 30 years. Land use issues and the future direction of our region. But you cannot take ag out of the picture - our food and how we grow it is the basis of all life. Covering the Hunter and Mid North Coast rural issues is now part of my role with ACM.
