Residents demand maximum speed reduction on two important Ballina Shire roads

“We’ve become acutely aware of the danger that crossing the road represents to pedestrians... it’s been alarming to see many accidents”.

Tintenbar Rd has seen a number of crashes, accidents and other events happen in recent years due to speeding or lack of visibility.

Residents have asked for maximum speeds to be reduced from 80km/h to 60km/h at two important Ballina Shire roads.

Sarah King spoke to councillors on May 27 about the community’s request for a speed limit reduction on The Coast Road near Angels Beach.

The presence of a bus stop on the eastern side, across the road from neighbouring homes, was one of the main points raised by Mrs King.

“Since moving to the area a year ago from Lennox Head, we’ve become acutely aware of the danger that crossing the road represents to pedestrians, especially those walking dogs, the elderly and children,” she said.

“It’s been alarming to see many accidents on that road, specially at the entrance of the Angels Beach car park.

“Although there are both an underpass and an overpass to north and south of the carpark, many pedestrians choose to cross the road at this point.

“The dangers amplify on weekends, with cars parked at both sides of the road.”

Mrs King also spoke about the many dead wallabies she has seen at that location: “The toll on the local wildlife is also tragic.”

Councillors debated the merit of the idea, and agreed to write to Transport for New South Wales requesting the speed limit for The Coast Road at Angels Beach be reduced from 80km/hr to 60km/hr to improve pedestrian and wildlife safety.

The roundabout at the corner of Angels Beach Drive and Coast Rd in 2010. Photo by Rebecca Lollback.

Jeanette Rai then gave a deputation in favour of limiting the speed on Tintenbar Road.

Mrs Rai said the opening of the new Pacific Highway did not reduce traffic, but instead increased the number of vehicles using Tintenbar Road.

She estimated the number of vehicles using that road daily between 5000 and 6000.

“Who uses that road? Commuters from the coast and Lennox Head area to go to Lismore or the hinterland, tradespeople, workers in the semirural and agricultural industries, children going to school in Ballina, Alstonville or Lismore, people shopping at the village and residents participating at activities at the hall and oval,” she said.

Mrs Rai said key dangers included the fact that the road crosses the village, and the steepness of gradient of the hill to the west of the village.

Another key issue she mentioned was the four intersections within 250m from the general store.

She reminded councillors that all other villages in the area had restricted speed limits.

“We are not asking for anything more than the same speed limit there is in other rural villages in the shire and elsewhere in the state,” she added.

Councillors agreed to request Transport for NSW undertake a speed zone review for Tintenbar Road between the intersection with Fernleigh Road and Friday Hut Creek Road, to assess a reduction in the speed zone from 80km/h to 60km/h.