Residents complain after laneway accident

Residents of Ettalong whose properties back onto the unnamed laneway from Bourke Rd and Karingi St have contacted Gosford Council to close the laneway following an accident at the T intersection which caused $2000 in damages.

"Under siege by reckless and underage drivers, who use this resident access way, as a race track, we are fully in favour of closing off this lane way," the residents have written.

"We wish to stress, however, that the problem exists at the T-intersection, where vehicles take the corner at high speed.

"Some of these offenders are tenants at the rear of properties on Bourke Rd and Karingi St, so a closure half way down the lane will not solve the problem.

"Recently a vehicle missed the corner and went through a fence, causing significant damage at the expense of the resident.

"This smash occurred just metres from where there are bedrooms in cabins facing the lane way.

"In fact some of these beds are literally just centimetres from the edge of the lane.

"With kids and pensioners regularly using this part of the lane as a walkway, it is only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or even killed.

"These vehicles and trail bikes reach speeds of up to 80km per hour, spewing rocks up at anyone who might be in the way.

"As such, we request the roadblock be placed at the T intersection, at the Barrenjoey Rd end, allowing Barrenjoey and corner block residents, access to the lane from Karingi St and all other residents from the main lane access on Springwood St.

"We strongly believe this is the best and safest solution to a dangerous problem we face daily.

"The situation has become intolerable and is affecting considerably our right to the safe and peaceful enjoyment of our homes and environment," said the petition.

Email, 5 Sep 2012

Walter von Sturler, Ettalong