New route reeks chaos
July 18, 2007
Section: News
RESIDENTS are set to bear the brunt of inconvenience caused when changes to Shellharbour Road force Premier Illawarra to change their bus routes through residential areas.
The new four lane road will have a concrete strip down the centre preventing buses from turning right out of the Premier Illawarra depot.
Premier Illawarra Human Resources/Industrial Relations Manager Don Clode said a number of streets through Flinders and Blackbutt would be affected by the change, seeing an increase of in excess of 40 bus movements along some streets.
"There will be an extra 42 bus movements per day along Lakewood Boulevarde and Jindabyne Road between 5.25 am and 6.41 pm," he said.
This is in addition to the school buses which already operate through the area.
Buses run between 5.25 am and 11.56 pm, according to Mr Clode.
Premier Illawarra is calling on the State Government to alter their plans for the road and include a feeder lane for the buses to enter into to turn right.
Mr Clode said he has discussed the issue with the Roads and Traffic Authority to little avail.
He also said he has raised the issue with Member for Shellharbour Lylea McMahon, who indicated to Mr Clode she would take the matter up with Roads Minister Eric Roozendaal.
Mr Clode said he was disappointed at the apparent lack of consultation on the project.
"We have been entering and leaving the depot in the same manner for 50 years. These changes are going to affect a lot of people," he said.
While Premier Illawarra will face financial ramifications as they have to travel a longer distance Mr Clode said their main concern lies with the residents who purchased their homes on the belief they would be living in a reasonably quiet, residential street and now have to face buses driving up and down.
"We are concerned about the impact on residents," he said.
"It will only be a through route, we will not stop."
The company will incur costs for the extra petrol required to travel the lengthened distance and well as for the extra time their drivers are rostered.