Doonside residents call for roundabout at ‘deadly’ Crawford Rd intersection

Fed up with speeding drivers and crashes, Doonside residents are calling for urgent safety upgrades to what they say is a ‘deadly intersection’.

Westview Baptist Church pastor JJ Bomford with concerned residents Livingston Chettipally, Raminder Sandu, Skate Naufahu, Iva Maras and Premi Arun at the intersection of Crawford Rd and Coveny St. Picture: Angelo Velardo

Fed up with speeding cars and crashes, Doonside residents have rallied together to push for urgent upgrades to what they say is a “deadly intersection”.

A petition is expected to be presented to Blacktown Council, calling for the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Crawford Rd and Coveny St.

Heading up the petition is pastor JJ Bomford of Westview Baptist Church, who has become increasingly concerned about the “deadly mix” of speeding cars and high traffic volume at the T-intersection.

After witnessing the aftermath of a serious crash recently which left two women injured, Mr Bomford said it was “time to act”.

Westview Baptist Church pastor JJ Bomford and residents Livingston Chettipally, Raminder Sandu, Skate Naufahu, Iva Maras and Premi Arun are calling for urgent safety upgrades at the intersection of Crawford Rd and Coveny St in Doonside. Picture: Angelo Velardo

He said the crash came after an accident more than a year ago in which a man was killed.

“We don’t want it to take another serious accident like that or someone to have to die before we do something about it,” Mr Bomford said.

“We want to petition the council to get something happening sooner rather than later so there’s no more a serious accidents, let alone death.”

He said residents expressed concerns that Crawford Rd had become a hotspot for speeding drivers, creating havoc when combined with drivers failing to give way.

“It’s a very long stretch of road and people are tempted on long stretches to gun it,” Mr Bomford said.

“The speed, combined with the intersection, and without a roundabout and just with a give way … it’s those factors that create a deadly concoction.

“This is a real thoroughfare for Doonside and as this area has grown, we’re seeing more cars on the road.”

Mr Bomford highlighted the proximity of the intersection to several schools and the high volume of traffic passing through the intersection at school drop-off and pick-up times.

Emergency crews at the scene of a recent crash at the intersection of Crawford Rd and Coveny St, Doonside. Picture: JJ Bomford

“Even after a recent speed indicator sign was placed upon the road, people continue to speed along this road,” he said.

“Further to this is the fact that Coveny St — which has to give way to Crawford Rd — often has impended views from Crawford Rd street parking.”

Resident Raminder Sandhu, who has lived near the intersection for more than 10 years, said a roundabout was necessary to improve safety.

“I’ve seen three serious crashes — one of them in daylight, at 3.30 in the afternoon, and it was very bad,” Mr Sandhu said.

“The recent one, I had just come back home and I heard a big sound and came out and saw that two cars had crashed.

“There were two ladies — one of them was very bad, she had a serious injury.

“These things scare us. When I hear someone speed up, it scares me, so the number one issue is speed.”

A Blacktown Council spokesperson said they were aware of concerns at the intersection and said a scheme to construct a roundabout had been approved, but was awaiting funding.

The intersection at Crawford Rd and Coveny St, Doonside. Picture: Angelo Velardo

“Crawford Road is listed in the council’s current works improvement program for consideration of traffic calming facilities for its full length,” the spokesperson said.

“The proposed roundabout, as well a roundabout at Wycombe St and several raised thresholds in Crawford Rd, have been approved by the council and are listed for future funding consideration.”

The spokesperson said the next round of funding in its capital works program was due to take place in the near future, and encouraged residents to lodge any material that supported an upgrade at the intersection.

Mr Bomford said a roundabout needed to be a top priority.

“[A roundabout] could go a long way in stopping serious accidents,” he said.

“We’re behind it as a church and as neighbours to protect life and we’re hoping to get the government behind this. It’s a no-brainer.”