Oxley Highway upgrade...Tamworth Regional Library 466 Peel Street, Tamworth South Tamworth Regional...

Oxley Highway upgrade

Dampier to Bass streets, Tamworth Submissions Report June 2014

RMS 14.292ISBN: 978-1-925093-76-6

Oxley Highway Dampier to Bass Upgrade | Submissions Report May 2014 3

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Contents 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 5

1.1 Background ............................................................................................................... 5

1.2 Consultation process ................................................................................................. 5

1.3 Overview of issues raised .......................................................................................... 6

1.4 Response to issues ................................................................................................... 7

2 Consideration of issues .................................................................................................. 7

2.1 Design ....................................................................................................................... 7

2.2 Construction schedule ............................................................................................... 9

2.3 Safety ....................................................................................................................... 10

2.4 Economic impact ..................................................................................................... 11

2.5 Street and property access ...................................................................................... 12

2.6 Parking and cycling.................................................................................................. 13

2.7 Bus operation .......................................................................................................... 13

2.8 Consultation process ............................................................................................... 14

2.9 Project scope ........................................................................................................... 14

3 Conclusion ................................................................................................................... 14

Appendix A – August 2013 proposed design ....................................................................... 15


1 Introduction

1.1 Background

The upgrade of the Oxley Highway from Dampier to Bass streets in Tamworth is part of a

larger program by Roads and Maritime Services to improve sections of the Oxley Highway.

The Oxley Highway is a vital link between Tamworth, Gunnedah and communities further to

the west. The purpose of this upgrade is to improve road condition, safety and traffic flow.

Roads and Maritime’s proposed design for Dampier to Bass streets, Tamworth (Appendix A)

was displayed for community feedback from 20 August 2013 until 6 September 2013.

The upgrade will be achieved by Roads and Maritime working together with Tamworth

Regional Council. Tamworth Regional Council secured $10.7 million from the Australian

Government under the Building Better Regional Cities Program for the Cole Road extension

and roundabout. On behalf of Roads and Maritime, Tamworth Regional Council is likely to

perform the remainder of the upgrade as funding becomes available.

This report considers issues raised by the community following the public exhibition of the

proposed design for the upgrade in Tamworth of the Oxley Highway from Dampier to Bass

streets. This report contains the following information:

Details of community consultation (Section 1.2)

Overview of issues raised (Section 1.3)

Response to issues (Section 1.4)

Consideration of issues (Section 2)

Conclusion (Section 3).

1.2 Consultation process

The proposed design for the upgrade was displayed for community comment in August and

September 2013.

The community was informed of the display by:

An update on the Roads and Maritime website

Mail out of the update to the surrounding residents and industrial estate

Media release dated 20 August 2013

Static display of the proposed design at the following venues from 20 August to 6 September 2013:

Tamworth Regional Council 437 Peel Street, Tamworth

Tamworth Regional Library 466 Peel Street, Tamworth

South Tamworth Regional Library, 66 Robert Street, Tamworth.

Face to face meetings with the project manager when requested by stakeholders.


Submissions received:

A total of 26 submissions were received from a cross-section of the community, including

householders, businesses, and the nearby Peel High School. The majority of submissions

support the proposed upgrade as well as offering their feedback on certain elements of the

project.

Several submissions supplied supporting material, such as drawings or letters. Supporting

material was considered part of the submission itself.

Project status:

The design of the Cole Road extension and roundabout has been approved and funding is

guaranteed through a Federal grant made to Tamworth Regional Council. As a result, this

section is being built first. Construction has started with completion expected in mid-2014,

weather permitting.

For the remainder of the Dampier to Bass upgrade, community submissions have been

incorporated into a refined design. It is anticipated that this funding will become available

prior to the completion of the Cole Road extension and roundabout. Construction is

expected to start in mid 2014, with completion in 2015, weather permitting.

1.3 Overview of issues raised

Roads and Maritime received 26 submissions for the Dampier to Bass streets upgrade of the

Oxley Highway in Tamworth. The submission period opened on 20 August and closed on 6

September 2013. However, submissions were accepted up until 16 September 2013.

Numerous issues were raised in the submissions received with many raising more than one

issue. The main points raised in the submissions were:

Issues raised for consideration Number of respondents

who raised this issue

Design 12

Street and/or property access 10

Safety 7

Construction schedule 5

Economic impact 4

Consultation process 4

Signage, including speed limits 2

Buses 2

Project scope 2

Cyclist access 1

Parking 1


Several comments were received requesting appropriate signage and this has been

incorporated in the overall design.

1.4 Response to issues

The table below indicates where the issues raised in submissions have been addressed in

this report. Some respondents raised more than one issue for consideration.

Table 1.1: Submission numbers and addressed issues

Submission

number

Section number where issues are addressed

1 Section 2.5

2 Section 2.5, 2.8

3 Section 2.1, 2.4, 2.5

4 Section 2.1, 2.3

5 Section 2.4

6 Section 2.2

7 Section 2.9

8 Section 2.1, 2.4

9 Section 2.1, 2.8

10 Section 2.2, 2.3, 2.5, 2.9

11 Section 2.1, 2.4

12 Section 2.1, 2.3

13 Section 2.1, 2.4

14 Section 2.2

15 Section 2.2

16 Section 2.1, 2.3

17 Section 2.1, 2.3, 2.5

18 Section 2.5

19 Section 2.5

20 Section 2.5, 2.8

21 Section 2.5

22 Section 2.1, 2.5

23 Section 2.1

24 Section 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.8

25 Section 2.3, 2.7

26 Section 2.7

2 Consideration of issues Issues identified are documented in the following subsections followed by a response

addressing each issue.

2.1 Design

Almost half of all submissions gave feedback about the design of the proposed work. The

range of feedback was also very wide, with very few issues being duplicated. Design issues

raised in the submissions are summarised in the following table along with the response.


Submission

number

Submission issue Response

3 Bent Street should remain open to right

in and right out traffic.

To improve the road safety and

traffic flow along the Oxley

Highway, Bent and Ridge streets

will be closed to right in and out

turning movements. These

streets can be accessed by

performing a u-turn at the Edith

Street roundabout.

3, 13 The service road could be extended to

Edith Street roundabout for out traffic.

This is not possible due to design

standards and safety

considerations.

4 A roundabout on Dampier Street is a

must.

A roundabout is in the design.

8 There needs to be a right turn from Bass

Street on to the Oxley Highway

Roads and Maritime are liaising

with the businesses owner to

ensure that their business can still

be properly serviced.

9 Concern about the no right turn in or right

turn out from Ridge Street or Bent Street.

To improve the road safety and

traffic flow along the Oxley

Highway, Bent and Ridge streets

will be closed to right in and out

turning movements. These

streets can be accessed by

performing a u-turn at the Edith

Street roundabout.

11 Allow another in/out point at the new

Dampier Street roundabout on to the old

section of Gunnedah Road/ Stewart

Street, even if for local traffic only.

This is not possible due to design

standards and safety

considerations.

12, 16 Traffic calming devices should be

included in the Cole Road design.

Appropriate calming devices will

be provided.

13 The centre island will make it difficult for

large vehicles entering and exiting my

business. I would like to suggest a

service road to accommodate the

businesses on the northern side of the

highway or a designated right only lane.


with the business owner to ensure

that their business can still be

properly serviced.

17 The concrete divider and signs in front of

Peel High School won’t allow large

vehicles to turn right out of Cook Street.

Roundabouts and low railway

underpasses on other routes means

Cook Street is the only route onto the

highway.


with businesses in the Taminda

Industrial Estate to ensure that

their business can still be properly

serviced by heavy vehicles.

22 The single lane roundabout at Cole Road

will be difficult for articulated and/or

heavy vehicles if they cannot turn right

The roundabout will allow

articulated vehicles to perform the

appropriate movements.


into businesses on the northern side of

the highway.

23 Due to B-doubles entering Cummins

Diesel for maintenance, the road would

be better if it is widened to a double lane

in both directions to allow these vehicles

to turn safely and allow traffic to flow

freely. Turning paths into and out of our

business also need consideration.

Safe access and egress has been

allowed for B-doubles into/from

the Cummins site.

24 The highway needs two lanes in each

direction with turning lanes. You have to

plan for the future and do it right the first

time.

The proposal allows for the future

upgrade to two lanes in each

direction. However, this is

currently not required.

2.2 Construction schedule

Five submissions included the sequence of the work. A common theme is that the Cole

Road extension and roundabout should be a secondary priority to the Oxley Highway

section. These concerns are summarised in the following table along with the response.

Submission

number


6 Why is money being spent on the Cole

Road extension when the Oxley Highway

and other Council roads are in need of

repair.

Tamworth Regional Council

received Federal funding under

the Building Better Regional

Cities Program for the Cole Road

extension. State and Council

funds are being used on the

Oxley Highway and other Council

roads.

10 Dampier Street intersection needs a lot

of attention paid to it before Bass Street

does.

The Dampier Street roundabout

will be built after the Cole Road

roundabout is complete.

14, 24 Cole Road should not be a priority over

the second stage.





extension. The reason that Cole

Road is being built first is that the

Federal funding has to be spent

by mid-2014.

15 Do the Oxley Highway and Dampier

Street upgrade first. The Cole Road

extension and roundabout is not a

necessary upgrade.





extension. The reason that Cole

Road is being built first is that the

Federal funding has to be spent

by mid-2014.


2.3 Safety

Over a quarter of all submissions were concerned about safety. The issues surrounding

safety tended to relate to the safe movement of large vehicles or pedestrians. These issues

are summarised in the table below.

Submission

number

Submission issue Panel Response

4 Concerns raised about B-

doubles and other heavy

transport using Cole Road. A

reasonable load limit should be

placed on Cole Road.

A gross load limit of 15 tonnes has been

assigned to Cole Road.

10 Dampier Street should be a

priority as there are many

accidents there and it is

extremely dangerous.

Tamworth Regional Council received

Federal funding under the Building Better

Regional Cities Program for the Cole Road

extension. The reason that Cole Road is

being built first is that the Federal funding

has to be spent by mid-2014.

12 Concerns raised about student

pedestrians from Peel High

School being struck by a vehicle

on the highway. Appropriate

traffic calming devices need to

be included on Cole Road to

prevent speeding.

Appropriate calming devices will be

provided.

16 Numerous incidents of speeding

along the current Cole Road

indicate speed pacifying devices

are required as part of the

extension.

Appropriate calming devices will be

provided.

17 Trucks that are 4.5 metres wide

and up to 28 metres long will

find it near impossible to turn

right out of Cook Street.

Roads and Maritime are liaising with

businesses in the Taminda Industrial

Estate to ensure that their business can

still be properly serviced by heavy

vehicles.

24 There is potential for accidents

around school finish time as

vehicles and buses needing to

head east must travel to the

Cole Road roundabout to turn

around.

By providing left out turning movements

from Peel High School the potential of

crashes at this intersection is reduced.

Overall, the proposed design reduces the

potential for crashes along this section of

road.

25 The bus zone at Peel High

School will create a conflict

between private vehicles and

buses which will lead to parking

along the highway for

convenience and be a safety

issue for vehicles and

pedestrians.

Roads and Maritime, Tamworth Regional

Council, Peel High School and the bus

companies are working together to

address these concerns.


2.4 Economic impact

Five submissions were concerned about the impact the upgrade would have on businesses

on the northern side of the Oxley Highway. The following table summarises their concerns.

Property access was a key issue raised in a number of submissions.

Submission

number


3 The restricted access to Ridge

and Bent streets will affect

business.

To improve the road safety and traffic flow

along the Oxley Highway, Bent and Ridge

streets will be closed to right in and out

turning movements. These streets can be

accessed by performing a u-turn at the

Edith Street roundabout.

5, 8 The ability to turn right from

Bass Street on to the Oxley

Highway is critical for WesTrac’s

operations.

Roads and Maritime are liaising with

businesses in the Taminda Industrial

Estate to ensure that their business can

still be properly serviced by heavy

vehicles.

11 The proposal will hamper, if not

ruin, business on Bent Street

with no right turn into the street.







13 The proposed changes will have

a negative impact on business

as the centre island prevents a

right in, right out of businesses

Roads and Maritime are liaising with the

businesses owner to ensure that their

business can still be properly serviced.


2.5 Street and property access

Almost 40 per cent of submissions are concerned about access and these are summarised

in the table below.

Submission

number


1 How will the roundabout impact

on property access to the bottle

shop adjacent to the pub?

There will be no change to the current

access arrangements.

2 Safe and appropriate access

and exit to Cummins is a

concern.

Safe access and egress has been allowed

for B-doubles into/from the Cummins site.

3 Restricted access to property on

Ridge and Bent streets will

affect business.







10 As a resident in Aberdeen

Street, this design means a

huge inconvenience.







17 Trucks that are 4.5 metres wide

and up to 28 metres long will

find it near impossible to turn

right into or out of Cook Street.

Tamworth Regional Council will ensure

that 4.5m wide and 28m long low loaders

can turn right out of Cook Street. Roads

and Maritime are liaising with businesses

in the Taminda Industrial Estate to ensure

that their business can still be properly

serviced by heavy vehicles.

18 The Short Road arm extension

will need to reach the northern

extremity of the land to allow for

transport vehicles to enter and

exit.

Roads and Maritime are liaising with the

businesses owner to ensure that their

business can still be properly serviced.

19 If there is no right turn from

either Ridge or Bent streets,

how is a person to get to their

place of employment without a

major detour?







20 Personal objection to the

proposal as there is no right turn

from either Ridge or Bent streets

onto the Highway.








21 Residents of Ridge and

Edinburgh streets since the

1970s and 1980s, object to the

closure of Ridge Street from

Gunnedah Road at our

expense. This closure will cause

us a lot of inconvenience.







22 Access for vehicles, especially

heavy articulated vehicles, to

businesses on the northern side

of the highway is difficult. They

can only turn right at the Cook

intersection or turn at the single

lane roundabout proposed for

Cole Road.

Safe access to all businesses on the

northern side of the highway has been

maintained.

2.6 Parking and cycling

One submission (number 25) was concerned about the impact the proposal would have on

parking and the cycleway. This submission felt that there has been insufficient consideration

given to parking associated with the operation of the Peel High School area as a bus zone.

Their concern is also that the parking proposed is too remote from the bus zone and, as a

result, will not be used.

Submission 25 also noted that the cycleway is well used and the proposed design has not

given sufficient consideration to managing the conflict between cycleway users and the bus

zone cross points.

Roads and Maritime, Tamworth Regional Council, Peel High School and the bus companies

are working together to address these concerns.

2.7 Bus operation

Roads and Maritime met with the bus company’s representative on the traffic committee to

discuss the proposed upgrade.

A summary of the concerns and responses are given in the following table.

Submission

Number

Submission Issue Response

25 Access to the car park should

not be through the bus zone.

Egress is OK.





26 There should be a parent drop-

off zone (no parking) at the end

of Stewart Avenue.






26 One way travel through bus

zone should remain.





2.8 Consultation process

Four submissions gave feedback about the consultation process itself. One submission

requested information on the next step in the consultation process, and another

acknowledged receipt of information requesting feedback on the project.

Two submissions (numbers 9 and 20) did, however, comment on how little time was given to

respond. Submission 9 received the information by mail on 2 September 2013, and

Submission 20 received the information 30 August 2013. The closing date for feedback was

6 September. In response to this, submissions were accepted up until the 16 September

2013.

2.9 Project scope

Submission 7 felt other streets and footpaths deserved attention before Cole Road. This

issue is out of scope of the project.

3 Conclusion This Submissions Report includes the consideration of all comments received by Roads and

Maritime following the display of the proposed upgrade and safety improvement strategy for

Dampier Street to Bass Street in Tamworth.

All issues, comments and suggestions made by the community and stakeholders have been

comprehensively considered by the project team and will be incorporated into a refined

design. A project update letter to the householder/business operator will be released to

advise the local community of a proposed work schedule, due to start on July 1, 2014,

weather permitting.


Appendix A – August 2013 proposed design

Oxley Highway Upgrade Dampier to Bass Street, Tamworth August 2013

This upgrade will provide a reconstructed and widened road pavement resulting in a consistent road surface and renewed pavement life, including kerb and guttering to improve drainage.

This upgrade will use the existing Oxley Highway corridor in this location, minimising environmental, economic and property impacts.

The benefits

• Improve road safety and reduce congestion

• Improve traffic efficiency between DampierStreet and Cole Road

• Improve access and efficiency

• Improve pavement condition and drainageand reduce maintenance costs

• Minimise impacts on the social, natural andbuilt environments.

Have your say

Feedback on the Oxley Highway Upgrade Dampier to Bass Street project will be welcomed until Friday 6 September 2013. Feedback should be addressed to the project manager, Gavin Rayward;

By mail: PO Box 576, Grafton NSW 2460

By email: [email protected]

For more information about the project, contact the project team on (02) 6640 1300.

Roads and Maritime Services (“RMS”) is subject to the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (“PPIP Act”) which requires that we comply with the Information Privacy Principles set out in the PPIP Act.

All information in correspondence is collected for the sole purpose of assisting in the assessment of this proposal. The information received, including names and addresses of respondents, may be published in subsequent documents unless a clear indication is given in the correspondence that all or part of that information is not published.Otherwise RMS will only disclose your personal information, without your consent, if authorised by the law.

Your personal information will be held by RMS at Northern Regional Office, 31 Victoria Street, Grafton NSW 2460. You have the right to access and correct the information if you believe that it is incorrect.

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New entry access to Peel High School (service road cul-de-sac) to reduce car/bus conflict and improve student safety

New kerb and gutter and storm water drainage along northern

side of Oxley Highway

New “left only” exit arrangements from Peel High

School to reduce conflict with Cook Street and improve

traffic flow on highway

Extension of Cole Road onto Oxley Highway and

construction of a roundabout as part of Building Better Regional Cities program

New access for local adjoining businesses

Bass Street closed to right out turning movements onto Oxley

Highway to improve safety

Length of bus interchange extended

The Oxley Highway is a vital link between Tamworth, Gunnedah and communities further to the west. The purpose of this upgrade is to improve road condition, safety and traffic flow.

Tamworth Regional Council and Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) have been working together on a strategy to improve the condition of the road, road safety and traffic flow on this section of the highway between Dampier and Bass streets. The strategy involves the extension of Cole Road onto the Oxley Highway and the construction of a single lane roundabout at the intersection of Cole Road and the highway.

The Cole Road extension and roundabout would be undertaken initially, with the Oxley Highway and Dampier Street works to follow as funding becomes available.

Preliminary investigations, including a traffic assessment and analysis, have already been carried out. These investigations have been used in the development of a concept design.

RMS is now seeking your feedback on the proposed design.

The proposal

The upgrade aims to provide a smoother and safer road, with improved traffic flow on the Oxley Highway in West Tamworth between Dampier and Bass streets. This will reduce congestion and improve traffic flow.

This upgrade will provide two 3.5 metre wide traffic lanes, two-metre-wide shoulders in each direction and a dedicated central lane to separate turning and through traffic. The upgrade will also include a two lane roundabout at the Oxley Highway and Dampier Street intersection and a one lane roundabout at the intersection of the Oxley Highway and Cole Road.

N

To Gunnedah

To Tamworth

New right turn lane to maintain existing accesses and improve

traffic flow on highway

Ridge Street closed to right in / right out turning movements to improve traffic

flow on the Oxley Highway

New cul-de-sac on service road

Bent Street closed to right in / right out turning movements to improve traffic

flow on Oxley Highway

Proposed new roundabout to improve access to Oxley Highway

New pedestrian refuge

RMS 13.381

New cycle way and parking along Cole Road

SHOULDERTRAVEL LANE

3.5

RIGHT TURN OR TWIRTLE

3.5TRAVEL LANE

3.5 SHOULDERKERB AND GUTTER

TABLE DRAIN FOOTPATH

Appendix A

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