Streets, Intersesctions, Roundabouts and Safety

I drive along Acacia Drive each day of the week. I was saddened to drive past the aftermath of a terrible accident in Acacia Drive this afternoon. The residents have been worried about speeding vehicles in this Drive for quite some time, and have often asked Council to do something about it. Unfortunately to date nothing has been done, even though speed humps have been placed in nearby Beech Street and Calgaroo Avenue. Its a wonder why the speed hump was placed in the much shorter Beech Street and not the the longer Acacia Drive. When elected to council I intend to take up the Acacia Drive residents concerns and get council to implement some practical ways to slow down traffic in this major Drive in Muswellbrook. Other aspects of traffic flow also need to be looked at in South Muswellbrook urgently. For example, the intersections of Thompson Street and the New England Highway, Rutherford Road and the New England Highway, and Acacia Drive and Rutherford Road. It would be interesting to know how many accidents and near-accidents have occurred at these intersections in recent years. When large developments such as fast-food restaurants, car dealerships, and shopping centres are built, the extra traffic generated should be taken into account to determine what should be done to nearby major intersections. Speaking of poor planing, how terrible is the roundabout in Rutherford Road at the entrance to the Muswellbrook Fair Shopping Centre. Large vehicle cant negotiate it, as is eveidenced by the dangerous tyre ruts to be seen in the surrounding nature strips. Ascetically it is an ugly roundabout, and does nothing to improve the appearance of the intersection. An opportuniy to make an attractive feature, as seen in some other towns roundabouts, has been missed out on. Roundabouts can be both functional and attractive if given enough thought in the planning stages.