Bus zone extension will stay

Gosford Council has decided to run with its Local Traffic Committee recommendation to extend a bus zone in Ettalong, after the committee defended the move in the face objections.

The bus zone on the northern side of Ocean View Rd, between Memorial Ave and Broken Bay Rd, Ettalong, will be extended by 20 metres replacing existing kerbside car parking.

The Traffic Committee met on Monday, May 2, to review its earlier decision to extend the bus zone after receiving a number of objections to the move.

At the meeting, the committee decided to stick by its earlier decision.

The committee's recommendation was adopted by Gosford Council at its meeting last week.

A report from the traffic committee stated that suggestions made in letters to the committee were discussed.

These included the proposal that a second bus stop be established further down the street or around the corner, so the load could be shared within the business precinct at Ettalong.

The traffic committee report noted that the provision of a second bus stop would further reduce the amount of kerb side space available for parking and would not be a viable option.

The report stated that the proposed section of Ocean View Rd between Broken Bay Rd and Memorial Ave was the ideal location for a bus interchange.

"Any relocation was considered detrimental to the function of the facility with the potential to discourage use of public transport," according to the report.

Bus operator Busways also advised that the bus stop served about 110 buses a day.

"There are instances where two buses are required to stop at that location at the same time and any changes to the bus timetable are not feasible as the bus services are linked to train services in Woy Woy."

The report also stated that, with an aging population and increasing petrol prices, the State Government was encouraging the use of public transport with the provision of more buses with increased frequency of service.

The Committee was told that the Council's Road Safety and Traffic Unit had investigated the Ettalong Beach area to identify any parking spots within close proximity that could be utilised for short term parking.

The unit found that a council car park directly behind the shops in Ocean View Dr was under-utilised and was suitable to be used to access the shops in this short section of Ocean View Rd.

Council Agenda TR.11.09, 7 Jun 2011