Imagine being presented with a glossy brouchure that declares that five car spaces will be removed, a no stopping area installed, the pedestrian safety buffer to busy highway gone with a poorly designed concrete footpath add-on appearing as an afterthought. This is exactly what happened to the businesses of Bodalla when Transport NSW officers called by to inform them that work would begin on May 2nd. The proposed pedestrian facilities are set to be installed on the Princes Highway in Bodalla opposite the Bodalla Dairy and scheduled to run from Monday 2 May 2022 until mid 2022 between 7am and 4pm. . Transport for NSW say the work will include:
• an extended kerb to improve visibility of pedestrians and highway users • a pedestrian refuge to create a safer location for pedestrians to cross the highway • installation of No Stopping signs southbound on the Princes Highway • the footpath will be extended to the south on the northbound side of the highway • drainage improvements on the Princes Highway to improve the resilience and safety of the network.
Transport for NSW justify the project saying:
"During busy periods such as the weekend or holidays, it can be difficult for pedestrians to safely cross the Princes Highway and access shops and services in Bodalla. The pedestrian facilities will improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians.
Their glossy brouchure says
"Following community feedback last year, the pedestrian facility was redesigned to include a pedestrian refuge to further improve pedestrian safety when crossing the Princes Highway, and reduce the impact on parking."
"Transport for NSW is working closely with Eurobodalla Shire Council to deliver this project."
Locals, receiving the notice of what is proposed have looked at the design and are raising their concerns over the design and also the impact the installation (and removal of critical carparking) will have.
Business owners are questioning the statement that Transport NSW makes saying "Following community feedback last year..."
Those that The Beagle have talked to have asked the same question "What feedback... no-one spoke to us".
A petition with over thirty signatures of affected local businesses requesting a round table meeting be held to engage with the business community and to listen to their concerns and suggestions has now been passed on to Transport NSW.
If there is no response then the Transport NSW crews will be met on the day by a very vocal group of business owners
Above: two of the Bodalla business owners with the petition calling for a stop work until there is real consultation and that Transport NSW understand the concerns of the community from a safety and financial perspective.
