Bays residents call for water taxis and new bus times

Residents of The Bays have called for a water taxi service and a revised bus timetable serviced by smaller buses at a meeting on May 5.

More than 100 residents attended the public meeting called by The Bays Community Group to discuss the Woy Woy Rd closure.

The meeting called on Gosford Council to provide two-way traffic on Bulls Hill, assurances on drain and silt trap cleaning, and better communication from the council about daily developments.

It asked for a safe path for children now having to walk to Wattle Cres for the school bus pick up.

The meeting also saw renewed calls for a long-term bypass of Bulls Hill.

Community group vice president Mr Greg McMullen said he was pleased with the attendance.

"It seems the best thing to come out of the meeting is that the RTA and council are actually working together," Mr McMullen said.

He said that the council was "going to be doing all the geotechnical investigations for the whole of that stretch of road and then work out if it will be a simple fix-up job of the current damage or a total rebuild of the full stretch of road.

Mr McMullen said the reports of the geotechnical studies were expected to be completed and finalised by the end of the week.

Cr Chris Holstein told Gosford Council: "Over 100 residents attended to canvas solutions to the impact the road closure is having on their families with safe travel to school and return.

"Residents were also seeking resolution to the short term and longer term problems associated with this regional road.

"A number of council and State Government officials together with Busways representatives attended, gave explanations and took on suggestions for resolving the travel dilemma being experienced."

Cr Holstein said residents came up with a number of requests to council and government at the meeting.

"I believe council officers should look into these matters in association with outside parties as required as a matter of urgency."

Gosford Council resolved last week to investigate the requests made at the meeting and to have a report prepared for consideration this week.

Council also resolved to seek funding from State and Federal sources to undertake the repair work.

Woy Woy Rd was closed at Bulls Hill on April 24, after a section of the road collapsed following heavy rain in the area.

One lane was reopened on May 1 to motorists travelling towards Woy Woy.

Council said the one-way traffic would continue until a solution to stabilising the road had been found.

A follow-up meeting will be held at 8pm on Monday, May 19, at the community hall at 19 Woy Woy Bay Rd, Woy Woy Bay.

Council agenda, UM.8, 6 May 2008 Press release, 6 May 2008 Greg McMullen, The Bays Community Group