Push to fix black spot

THE black spot intersection of William Blair Avenue and Ballina Rd could be improved within 12 months after Lismore City Council asked the Government to fix it.

SAFETY FIRST: Ballina Road black spot at the turn-off to William Blair Avenue in Goonellabah. Picture: Mireille Merlet-Shaw

THE black spot intersection of William Blair Dve and Ballina Rd could be improved within 12 months after Lismore City Council requested Roads and Maritime Services urgently introduce measures to improve safety.

Lismore Mayor Jenny Dowell said the safety of motorists on Ballina Rd had been an issue for council for many years.

At the April traffic meeting with the RMS, Cr Dowell said she stressed the urgency for safety upgrades as police had told her the intersection was one of the worst black spots in the region for crashes.

"Council is very concerned and it will become a greater concern because of the proposal to release more land in Invercauld Rd and eventually Trinity Dr," she said.

"The traffic that is already using Ballina Road is sometimes 20,000 or more vehicles a day."

"The cars that are turning right into either end of William Blair Ave and those that are doing U-turns at the city end of William Blair Dve are facing a major risk."

Ballina Rd resident of 24 years, Darryl Hawke said he had lost count of the number of crashes at the intersection, which he claims were due to speeding drivers or motorists coming out of nearby Gallagher Dr and doing U-turns at the William Blair Dve intersection.

Mr Hawke said he had written to council about the intersection and problems caused when heavy vehicle traffic is diverted along Ballina Rd if the Pacific Hwy is closed.

"Drivers need to slow down and travel at a safe distance from the vehicle in front of them," he said.

A RMS spokeswoman said they were working with Lismore City Council to improve the two intersections of Ballina Rd at William Blair Ave, which will be considered in the 2013/2014 financial year.

"Several options are being considered, including making William Blair Ave left in, left out access only, providing alternative connections to and from William Blair Dve and installing a central median strip," the spokeswoman said.

The spokeswoman said once a preferred solution had been confirmed detailed design and community engagement will start.