Underpass sign decision deferred

Gosford Council has decided to defer a decision on the installation of a giveway sign at the Woy Woy Rd and Railway St underpass at South Woy Woy.

Council said the implications for installing a give way sign on one approach to the underpass include the possibility of queues extending into nearby intersections, and traffic travelling in the opposite direction developing a false sense of security with right-of-way in their favour.

Council has also prioritised pavement rehabilitation at the intersection of Mt Ettalong Rd and Hobart Ave.

Council recommended a double unbroken centreline as well as edgelines.

The Boulevarde and Brisbane Water Drive intersection will not be closed after Council received 12 objections to the proposal.

Council also received three submissions in support of closure.

Council's traffic committee said the Boulevarde will be kept open to traffic, particularly for heavy vehicles accessing the wharf.

Among the objectors' reasons were that closure would increase traffic congestion and money could be better spent on projects such as the Anderson Park upgrade, need for emergency access, retaining the wharf's "unique charm", and the need to load and unload commercial fishing vessels.

Among the objectors were local business people, residents, Jetty Builders, United Commercial Fishermen's Association of NSW and Fishermen's Wharf.

Council will not replace a pedestrian refuge adjacent to Ettalong Markets with a linemarked crossing.

The council overturned a traffic committee recommendation that no action should be taken to change the intersection at Hobart Ave and Perth St, Umina.

Cr Lynne Bockholt said she did not think "do nothing" was an option.

"This little intersection used to see three cars a day," she said.

A council survey in 1998 showed that 8156 vehicles a day passed or used the intersection.

Other options canvassed included providing a seagull intersection, limiting movements to left in/left out, closing the intersection or building a roundabout.

Council will draw up plans and costings for a pedestrian crossing on West St, Umina, at the intersection of Richard Rd near the Sacred Heart Church.

Council had received a request to install the crossing from the parish family minister of the St John the Baptist parish.

Council's traffic committee had said while pedestrian activity at the section of road was high, a marked crossing was not necessary.

However, the high percentage of elderly pedestrians caused a rethink.

Carl Spears, September 12