A proposal by Roads and Maritime Services to restrict vehicle access to Nabiac from the Pacific Highway has raised safety concerns by members of the small, close knit community.
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Under the proposal, motorists travelling north along the Pacific Highway would no longer have the option to turn right into Dibbs Street, while vehicles exiting from Woosters Lane (directly opposite) would not be permitted to cross into Dibbs Street or turn right into the southbound lane of the highway.
Dibbs Street is the most convenient and safest route into the village for residents living just outside Nabiac.
Motorists would be forced to drive another kilometre north to Pipeclay Creek Road, do a U-turn and then merge with southbound traffic travelling at 100km/h on to the busy highway to Dibbs Street to access Nabiac, resident, Amanda Holden said.
I find it incredibly worrying that the traffic survey was not done during peak times of the year.
- Amanda Holden
Not only would motorists have to put up with the inconvenience travelling north and then south, the narrower Pipeclay Creek Road intersection was located on a bend and was a renowned blind-spot.
If multiple large vehicles are turning onto the Pipeclay Creek Road intersection traffic congestion would obstruct the overtaking right lane, she said.
According to Mrs Holden the Dibbs Street Woodsters Lane intersection had been specifically designed to accommodate B-double or prime mover vehicles.
The plan goes against Transport for NSW's own guidelines restricting vehicles from crossing adjacent marked lanes when turning, she said.
Further to the community's frustrations was traffic surveys were undertaken in 2011 and 2015.
"They are woefully out of date and not reflective of the traffic now," she said.
"And, also I find it incredibly worrying that the traffic surveys were not done during peak times of the year."
Road changes have been proposed to accommodate a highway service centre located at a one-time caravan sales centre opposite the township, a project which had been on the drawing board for more than 10 years, and had also gone through three owners.
The original project had a Christmas 2017 finish date.
Kit Harper from the Nabiac Village Futures' Group shared the community's fears and believed changes would result in more motor vehicle accidents along that section of the highway.
"They will have to reduce the speed to 80km/h or even 60," Mr Harper said.
"But, the service centre itself should not have been approved," he said.
"It will create competing traffic from each end of the service centre."
The mother of two youngsters, Mrs Holden also was concerned for her children's safety.
RELATED: Proposed traffic changes at Nabiac
"It's already hard to negotiate the traffic and during the Christmas holidays it is even harder," she said.
"The village is concerned about safety; we have a functioning turn at Dibbs Street."
Residents also are concerned about noise pollution and in particular sound coming from the many trucks - including those fitted with refrigeration units - which will be using the centre and an increase in unnatural night light.
"This is not the environment for a service centre; we do not want it," Mr Harper said.
"It seems to me that people from outside of the State building these with no concern for the locals.
"We do not believe this (service centre) will be a benefit for local residents."
Residents are being urged to comment and provide feedback to MidCoast Council HERE, or email Transport NSW Development.hunter@rms.nsw.gov.au. before Thursday, February 25.
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