Traffic lights needed at roundabout, says Chamber

The roundabout at the intersection of Rawson Rd and Ocean Beach Rd at Woy Woy needs to be replaced with traffic lights, according to the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.

"The government cannot continue to ignore this intersection which is at absolute capacity and a major choke points on Ocean Beach Rd," said Chamber president Mr Matthew Wales.

"Duplicating the roundabout is not an option because of the service stations so we believe a signalised intersection will be necessary.

"The major congestion times are when traffic is coming from Umina of a morning and from Gosford of an afternoon and that is amplified during school times.

"You can almost guarantee at 8am in the morning and from 3pm in the afternoon you will crawl through there.

"I don't believe the State Government wants to put it as a priority because of the cost which is probably in the order of $20 million.

"The RMS has told me it is not a priority.

"I don't believe they understand just how critical these projects are and certainly, when the seat is not a marginal seat, it's not a priority but they can't keep ignoring it.

"It doesn't matter which direction you go whether you go down Blackwall Rd or Ocean Beach Rd you cop the same thing.

"They are State roads but I believe the Council has a role in advocating for State and Federal funds.

"The Chamber of Commerce shouldn't have to push this barrow and council play catch up especially when we've got a west ward and three of our own councillors who really should understand just how bad that intersection is."

Mr Wales said the Chamber would also be asking questions about the promised design work for Blackwall Rd, Dunban Rd, Maitland Bay Dve and Woy Woy Rd.

"The NSW Government has done no work on their by-election promises to spend $35 million.

"This was in compensation for the Woy Woy underpass debacle but we are concerned there is very little information being provided about where these projects are at and we have no idea of what the timeline is.

"I don't want to be sitting at the next state election and find these projects are trotted out.

"They are all priority intersections and priority main roads and we supported these projects because they were on our list of priorities so it really is important that the State Government honours its commitments and has these roads and intersections investigated, designed and the works implemented."

SOURCE:

Interview, 23 Jan 2018

Matthew Wales, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce

Reporter: Jackie Pearson