Twenty-two years ago, the late Norm Braithwaite wrote to this paper lamenting the lack of town parking with its increased population. Now, the numbers have grown. The former councillor’s words were forgotten. It seems that 17 parking spots have disappeared, 100 lineal metres. For the less than well, parking in town is helpful. This “beautification” denies function, and in town, there’s now the contention of dealing with polished concrete. Add water, leaves, and clay footprints, it’s a formula for broken bones.

Function takes a loss at the intersection of Hyde and Church streets. The extended curbs play havoc,  semi-trailers have to take extremely wide lines on turns. Since when does “form” (road into flower beds) rule over safety, forcing semis across double lines and into oncoming traffic? Ditto for the Hyde street - Oak street intersection. Long wheelbase school buses travelling up Hyde have to veer right, touching the centre lines before turning left into the progressively narrowed section between the extended memorial and the Bank.

Left, into Oak Street, they have to cross the centre lines to clear the roadside flower beds. Worse! Semis entering from the west taking the narrowed corner between the memorial and the Gelato bar cross the centre lines to avoid the extended concrete curb. They miss the curb by 70cm. At some stage, a semi will be forced to take a tighter line. In fact, it will be the designated line, the effect on a set of tri axles bouncing off the curb would be seismic, it could throw a load – onto?

Next, the new pedestrian crossing. It’s modelled on the crossing near the Memorial Hall. This one, built onto the narrowed road, is a mash of vertical posts (bollards) and signs. It’s visual confusion. Kids hang at the exits, without looking, (they’re kids after all) they dash straight into traffic. It’s common at this crossing. This narrowing is repeated at the new crossing in the town centre. The cooler months see a blinding sun set at the top of Hyde Street. The walled access obscures movement, throw in disguising posts and signs, with a direct walk into traffic and sunset and the framework is set for run-overs.

To refresh the memory. The “beautification” plan was announced by local MP Melinda Pavey almost a year ago in front of tv cameras and the general media. Her gift to us, was over $700,000. Translated, it means, vote for me. The plan was drawn by Local Government Engineering Services. Apparently, a “beautification” consultant. The past council came on board, so did the current one. Likewise the senior council staff. Are they not savvy on traffic issues? Was it simply take the money and go with it? The irony in this? Melinda Pavey is now the Minister for Roads. Don’t expect too much. All the decision makers in the triumph of “form” over “function” have face to lose. Self preservation steps in here. 

Warren Tindall

Bellingen