A request will be put to the Local Traffic Committee to undertake a formal review of the speed limit for Crescent Head Road, it was decided at Tuesday's council meeting.
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Councillor Bruce Morris put forward the recommendation to the meeting after attending a recent Crescent Head Ratepayers and Residents Association meeting.
"At a community meeting there was a strong consideration made that they believe there is safety hazards, particularly at the intersection of Maria River Road and Crescent Head Road. There are also concerns along other sections of the road," Cr Morris said.
"I know that the Local Traffic Committee have been looking at this issue for a number of years. I believe it is time we did a complete review of the entire length of the road and have a holistic look at it.
"This doesn't mean this is a mandate of what should happen or where, but is asking for a formal review of the entire road."
The current speed limit for the majority of Crescent Head Road is 100km/hr.
Councillor Anthony Patterson, who is a member of the Local Traffic Committee, said the committee is currently considering the portion of the road near the Maria River Road intersection and Beranghi Road in regards to safety concerns.
"The committee is looking at that section of road now. The public has to know that Service NSW set the speed limits along roads and not the Local Traffic Committee," he said.
Councillor Mark Baxter spoke for the recommendation at the council meeting and said the Local Traffic Committee can recommend a review to be undertaken.
"Having this discussion at a council meeting and putting through this recommendation is making this issue more important than it was previously," he said.
Councillor and member of the Local Traffic Committee, Ashley Williams, said it was unlikely that a review would lead to a speed limit change along the entire road.
"It has been reviewed in the past and hasn't lead to any changes. It's unlikely that another review regarding the speed limit will be considered by Transport for NSW," he said.
The matter of speed limits on Crescent Head Road at various locations has been considered multiple times by the Local Traffic Committee. It is also currently under review, as noted from the December 2020 Local Traffic Committee minutes.
The history of the the Local Traffic Committee considerations are:
- March 2018 - Request from Crescent Head Residents and Ratepayers Association to review the 100k/hr speed zone in vicinity of Maria River Road intersection: The subsequent Transport for NSW speed zone review determined that the existing 100km/hr speed limit with accompanying 75km/hr advisory speed zones on the curve at this location would be compliant with Transport for NSW guidelines.
- September 2019 - Extension of the 70km/hr speed zone out of South Kempsey by a resident was sought: Transport for NSW undertook a speed zone review of the subject site and did not support the request.
- December 2020 - Resident concerns to the east and west of Maria River Road intersection with a consideration of reviewing the speed limit: The Local Traffic Committee deferred the request, with completion of the minor works recommended from the 2018 speed zone review to be followed up on by council. The matter was to be reported to a subsequent meeting of the Local Traffic Committee, which is yet to occur.
It was also noted in the General Manager's comments included in the council meeting agenda that road safety funding shall see improvements under the NSW Safer Roads program between Beranghi Road to Maria River Road, which is likely to influence a Transport for NSW review of the speed limit.
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