Byron Council has now claimed that the developer’s DA design for the McAuleys Lane intersection improves traffic safety over the work that Council had proposed.
Council proposed line marking. The developer of 53 McAuleys Lane, in their DA, introduced raised traffic islands.
Mullumbimby Road in this area is currently obstacle-free and marked with an 80 km/h speed limit. Raised traffic islands introduce obstacles and potential confusion to through traffic using Mullumbimby Road, e.g travelling from Mullumbimby to Uncle Tom’s.
This increases the risk of accidents and reduces safety for Mullumbimby Road users.
Everywhere else the focus of road design and safety improvements is to reduce the hazards of obstacles on, and alongside, the road that could become a point of impact for vehicles.
Mullumbimby Road is not a local road with a 50 or 60 km/h speed limit that might benefit from ‘traffic calming’ devices.
Council has proposed carrying out roadwork (at Council’s cost) to facilitate the DA design with raised traffic islands.
It seems ridiculous that Council should carry out work that Council does not deem necessary under its own traffic plan, and that results in reduced safety for through traffic.
It must also raise questions as to the basis of the relationship between Council and this developer.
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