Council has voted to investigate the re-opening of the crossing over the rail line at Cox Street, as a means of easing peak/school traffic on Douro Street and its intersections with Horatio and Denison streets.
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The motion was listed by Cr Russell Holden, who pointed to the increase in traffic along the bypass of town due to the growth of housing in Bellevue and Caerleon estates, and increase in heavy trucks traversing from the mines and other commercial operations.
Which is then exacerbated Monday to Friday during the school drop-off and pick-up times, then on the weekend with sport at Glen Willow. The proposed solution put to Council's March meeting was to look into Cox Street, which used to cross the rail line.
"The problem here that we're trying to solve is the condensation of traffic around the high school and the public school. And the mix of that with B-doubles and heavy traffic coming through there during the peak times of 8-9.30am and again at 3-4pm," Cr Holden said.
"This was not my idea originally, it was given to me by residents asking 'why can't we open Cox Street and use it so we won't have to go to Douro Street at those times?'
"It is extremely logical and was obviously open in the past. The question was asked this afternoon, 'was it ever officially closed?'
"And I think that's in doubt and that's why I use the word 'investigate' in the motion, because I think we should find out exactly what the facts are and look at it.
"I have no doubt that should we decide we want to formally open it, that we would need to enter into some community consultation and we'll wait and see where that takes us."
The motion also acknowledged that if completed, some changes in give-way signage may be required on Denison, Gladstone and Mortimer Streets to facilitate smooth traffic flows.
Cox Street is one of seven Mudgee streets bisected by the rail line.
Although currently unused, the line is currently the subject of the 'Kandos to Gulgong Line Reinstatement Feasibility Study', which is being investigated as a possible option for the future supply of coal to the Mt Piper Power Station.
