A grassroots campaign is underway to have a roundabout installed at the intersection of Wards Hill Rd and Empire Bay Dr at Empire Bay.
Resident Bill Young said a post on the Killcare-Wagstaffe Community Facebook page attracted more than 90 likes and 58 comments in just three days, all overwhelmingly in support of a roundabout.
In the lead-up to next month’s State election, the community is calling on Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch and Labor candidate for the seat Sam Boughton to commit to pushing for a roundabout similar to the one recently constructed at Picnic Pde and Maitland Bay Dr, Ettalong Beach.
Young said the intersection was “an accident waiting to happen”.
“Unless one wishes to exit the long way around via MacMaster Beach, the intersection is the only exit from the heavily populated Killcare, Hardys Bay, Pretty Beach and Wagstaffe area,” he said.
“It is a highly dangerous intersection, particularly for anyone turning right towards Bensville and Kincumber.”
Young said it all started when someone put a sign up at the intersection saying ‘Adam Crouch, we need a roundabout’.
“It was in the perfect position for all the morning and afternoon traffic on Wards Hill Rd to see,” he said.
“I took a photo of that and posted it on the local FB page.
“And that’s what started the many likes and comments on this issue.
“It is obviously of major concern to a lot of people in the Killcare, Pretty Beach, Hardys Bay and Wagstaffe area.
“At the moment, many cars do a ‘rat-run’ through the petrol station to avoid the intersection and turn left towards Ettalong.
“But it is the right hand turn on to Empire Bay Drive that is the most dangerous.
“Often your vision to the left is obscured by a vehicle turning left.”
Young said countless people could attest to the serious danger of the intersection.
“Often on school days around 8.30-9am, the traffic bank up from the Empire Bay Primary School extends as far as this intersection, which only compounds the problem,” he said.
“The other interesting thing is that there is not a single comment objecting to the call for a roundabout or a solution.
“There are a couple of other suggested options, but support for the roundabout idea is overwhelming.
“The good thing is that there is plenty ty of vacant land available at the site to accommodate a roundabout.”
Terry Collins