Haynes Ave at Umina Beach has been resurfaced by Central Coast Council with funding from the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, but residents say there is still a long way to go to make the busy thoroughfare safe.
Member for Robertson Gordon Reid said Haynes Ave is an important road on the Peninsula, with hundreds of commuters using it to get to and from work every day.
“The condition of the road was not fit for purpose and I am pleased Council has been able to undertake road renewal works to improve safety and accessibility,” he said.
But residents say while they appreciate the recent road upgrade, they will continue to agitate for speed reduction measures.
“Council has yet to install median devices at the entrance to Haynes Ave from Ryan’s Rd and Lone Pine Ave to reduce speed,” spokesperson Fran Armstrong said.
She said speed-calming devices were particularly needed at the intersection adjacent to the playground situated at the corner of Haynes Ave and Ryan’s Rd.
Residents have been asking for major road improvements for more than two years.
In 2021, they told CCN that an average 1,893 cars per day use the street, with 85 per cent of them exceeding the 50km/h speed limit, according to Council statistics.
They said their main concern was for the welfare of small children using the park on the corner of Ryan’s Rd, with the situation exacerbated by the addition of a set of swings closer to the corner.
With traffic volumes on the rise following the opening of the United service station on the corner of Ryans Rd and Ocean Beach Rd and construction of a new shopping mall at the corner of Lone Pine Ave and Ocean Beach Rd underway, safety concerns are escalating.
Residents are calling for traffic calming measures including: traffic islands at each end of Haynes Ave, especially one to prevent cars from cutting the corner of Haynes Ave and Ryans Rd; traffic calming and speed controls to minimise speeding and anti social behaviour; and the installation of speed limit signage.
Reid said he was aware of ongoing concerns.
“There are more safety upgrades I know residents would like to see along Haynes Ave and I will continue to make representations to Central Coast Council and other levels of government,” he said.
“Local road infrastructure improvement on the Central Coast is a priority for the Government (and) I will continue advocating on behalf of the Central Coast community in Canberra for greater funding for infrastructure projects across our region.”
Terry Collins
Its just not good enough to re-surface a road. Haynes Avenue is a good example of “we used to drive on the left hand side of the road, now we drive on what’s left of the road”
Thirty Eight thousand people live on the Peninsula and still growing. What is disturbing, over 80% of our roads are not kerbed & guttered, lacking in footpaths and poor drainage. We need, a Program of Works to commence re-constructing our roads on the Woy Woy Peninsula.
We are not a third world country, we just look like one. Enough is Enough!!