There are fears the Roads and Maritime Services’ preferred option to replace the Riverstone level crossing will destroy the town.
A Blacktown Council report which recommended lodging a submission to the RMS was discussed at last night’s Blacktown Council meeting.
The report supports proposed short-term plans to address connectivity and improve traffic flow in and around the town centre, including a proposal to connect the Westminster Street Bridge with Garfield Road West.
But it expressed disappointment for medium and long-term plans based on an overpass along the alignment of Garfield Road through the town centre.
The report recommends the council support the Bandon Road corridor as the preferred northern by-pass and renounce its long standing preference of Loftus Street as the overpass location.
Councillors Walter Smith and Alan Pendleton echoed concerns for the RMS preferred option.
‘‘I don’t agree with the Garfield Road option— I never have and never will,’’ Cr Pendleton said.
‘‘It will destroy the Riverstone township. This is the greatest con by the state government to pacify our residents.’’
A Riverstone resident for more than 40 years, Cr Smith will make his own submission to RMS before tomorrow’s deadline.
He still believes his proposal for an overpass in Victoria Street is the best option. It’s a commonsense approach that should have been done 15 to 20 years ago,’’ Cr Smith said. ‘‘The traffic flow at the level crossing has been a problem for a long time. The RMS hasn’t created any solutions, which has exacerbated the problem more.’’
He described the Garfield Road option as diabolical.
‘‘It wouldn’t allow the council to build a valid masterplan for the area, including Marketown,’’ Cr Smith said.
‘‘It won’t do anything to improve the traffic and will divide the town from the shopping centre. The people of Riverstone have been forgotten about for a long, long time and the state government isn’t listening.’’
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