A draft strategy for improving traffic flow and road safety in Mudgee will be reviewed by Mid-Western Regional Council on Wednesday.
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The draft traffic strategy recommends changes needed in the near future, as well as changes that will be required in the longer-term to handle additional traffic expected to be created by the growth of the town, especially in routes accessing new developments.
The study found the highest volume of traffic in Mudgee is along Church Street between Horatio Street and Denison Street, which carries more than 10,000 vehicles a day on weekdays.
Of a total of 108 crashes at 53 intersections in Mudgee between January 2008 and December 2012, the highest number (six) occurred at the intersection of Horatio and Church Street.
Most crashes at this intersection involved vehicles already on the roundabout and vehicles entering the roundabout. The draft strategy recommends that serious consideration be given to measures to ensure traffic slows or even stops before entering the roundabout.
The intersection of Church Street and Denison Street was found to have the worst level of service in the town. The study recommends an alternative method of traffic control, such as roundabout, in the near future.
The study predicts traffic will increase to 18,600 a day as a result of potential residential areas, reaching around 2000 trips an hour in the peak afternoon period. It lists Hill End Road, Fairydale Lane, Bell Street, Bellevue Road, Henry Bayly Drive, Madeira Road, and Robertson Street as areas likely to most affected by increased traffic to and from new residential areas.
However, the major impact would be felt on Church Street between Horatio and Denison Street, resulting in a decreased level of service.
The draft traffic strategy also considers issues such as pedestrian safety, school zones, bus routes, cycleways, heavy vehicle traffic, and whether railway crossing should be re-opened in Cox and Court Streets to reduce traffic on Douro Street.
It recommends improvements be funded through developers’ contributions, funding from coal mines, or council and RMS funds.
An estimated $6.3 million worth of works are identified which could be funded from developers’ contributions,
The draft traffic strategy was developed in consultation with the police, RMS, Mudgee Chamber of Commerce, taxi and bus operators and community transport.
Subject to approval by council on Wednesday, it will be placed on display for public comment.
Works recommended in the draft traffic study within the next two years include:
- Mudgee High School to be asked to assist with the supervision of students using the crossing in Horatio Street;
- Relocation of Give Way signs from Perry Street to Gladstone Street at this intersection to improve traffic flow and reduce delays experienced by school buses;
- Extend the bus zone in Lewis Street at St Matthew’s School and introduce No Parking restrictions between 2.30pm and 4pm between the northern driveway of the school and Market Street;
- Slowing devices in Meares Street; Denison Street between Church Street and Lewis Street; and Oporto Road at the Southside Shopping Centre;
- Relocation of the start of the 80km/h speed limit on Ulan Road from Pitt Lane to 100 metres north of Henry Lawson Drive.
- Installation of pedestrian warning signs advising motorists to slow at the intersection of Robertson Street with Lions Drive and provision of pedestrian refuges in Robertson Street north of Lions Drive and in Lions Drive at Robertson Street.
Recommendations for long-term changes include:
- A dedicated cycleway from Winter Street to the CBD via the Mudgee High School (within five years);
- Provision for “seagull arrangements” protecting right-hand turning traffic from through traffic at the intersection of Douro Street and Inglis Street and of Madeira Road and Robertson Road (within five years);
- Roundabouts with pedestrian refuges at the intersections of Sydney Road with Burrundulla Road and Lions Drive; Douro Street and Gladstone Street; Douro Street with Denison Street; Church Street with Denison Street; Douro Street with Horatio Street; and Horatio Street with Lewis Street - (Five to 10 years);