Transport for NSW representatives and residents at the drop-in session on 22 February in Narooma about proposed traffic lights. Photo: Marion Williams.
There are some vocal critics of a proposed set of traffic lights in Narooma.
Some residents said traffic lights proposed at the intersection of the Princes Highway, Field Street and the BIG4 Easts Holiday Park would create long tailbacks of traffic and cause vehicles to divert to Riverside Drive, a residential street that is not suited to trucks or cars towing large caravans.
They are also concerned at the loss of 12 parking spaces in the vicinity of the IGA and coffee shops on the busy shopping strip on the ”flat”.
They expressed their concerns and suggested other solutions to Transport for NSW representatives at a community drop-in session in Narooma on Saturday (22 February).
Last year, Transport for NSW carried out consultation as part of its feasibility study for the Narooma Bridge and Transport Improvements project. It received responses about the need to upgrade the intersection, partly because motorists find it difficult to turn right in and out of Field Street, and partly because pedestrians, particularly those with mobility issues, find it difficult to cross the Princes Highway safely.
Transport for NSW representatives said there had been many “near misses” and it had received numerous inquiries from Eurobodalla Shire Council and residents about the intersection over the years.
Transport for NSW’s investigation showed that traffic lights would provide the best immediate and long-term road safety improvements at the intersection for all road users.
One Narooma resident said the proposal was much needed: “It is lucky there hasn’t been an accident, particularly with children, but we don’t like having traffic lights.”
A resident from Kianga said traffic had increased tenfold over the past 24 years. “I want traffic lights for the safety aspect.”
The proposed layout of the upgraded intersection at Field Street and the Princes Highway in Narooma. Image: via Transport for NSW project webpage.
A short queue of residents was waiting as Transport for NSW representatives set up their marquee on Saturday morning.
A common comment was that traffic lights would exaggerate the vehicular congestion around the area and cause long tailbacks of traffic similar to the impact the set of lights in Moruya has had.
“People in Moruya never thought they would have a tailback of two or three kilometres,” one person said.
A resident of Easts Narooma Village, across the highway from the caravan park, said: “Traffic lights are going to exacerbate the problems the 100 residents in the village have coming in and out.”
The Transport for NSW representatives said the situation in Narooma was markedly different from Moruya’s, and that the traffic lights would be green all the time unless a car came out of Field Street or the caravan park.
Riverside Drive residents, who have previously spoken about the volume, speed and nature of traffic that uses the street as a detour off the Princes Highway, said the traffic lights would only worsen the situation.
“They will see a line of traffic along the highway, so divert through Riverside Drive,” one resident said. “You need to put up a No Right Turn sign.”
Another resident said the signage around Riverside Drive was misleading and people ignored the speed and weight limits.
The loss of 12 parking spaces was another common concern, with some saying it was the worst part of the proposal.
They asked the TfNSW representatives what Narooma businesses in the vicinity had to say.
“The majority of businesses are very supportive,” one representative said. “They are there all day watching all the near misses.”
Community members wait to speak with the Transport for NSW representatives at the drop-in session in Narooma on 22 February. Photo: Marion Williams.
Residents suggested making Field Street and the caravan park left turn only. That would be a short trip to the nearby roundabout for people in the caravan park but a detour of around two kilometres for people in Field Street who wanted to head north.
Residents also suggested lowering the speed limit to 40 km/h to help with pedestrian safety, or making pedestrian islands.
The area is too small to construct a roundabout, and such a junction would not help improve pedestrian safety.
Some people said many residents did not know about either the traffic light proposal or the drop-in session, and asked whether there would be further consultation.
“Is this a fait accompli?” asked one resident. “If the funding is already there, that suggests you are a fair way down the process.”
In a statement, a TfNSW spokesperson said community members could continue to provide feedback on the proposed design via email until 9 March.
“Transport will then review all feedback before confirming next steps, which may include further consultation,” the spokesperson said.
One resident said: “There are a lot of other things you have to fix about Narooma’s roads before you spend $3.5 million on traffic lights.”
Another said: “People are saying yes, we need something, but not lights.”
For more information, visit Transport for NSW’s project webpage. Feedback can be provided until 9 March by emailing [email protected].
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