A CLEARWAY at peak times either side of the Richmond Bridge could ease a lot of the traffic congestion between Richmond and North Richmond, Hawkesbury Councillor Mary Lyons-Buckett said.
‘‘To an extent there has to be inconvenience if there are going to be improvements to our road,’’ Cr Lyons-Buckett said.
‘‘But things could have been done better.’’ Since March, the intersection of Kurrajong and Old Kurrajong roads in Richmond has been undergoing roadworks.
This has slowed traffic, particularly at peak times, between the intersection of Kurrajong Road and Bosworth Street in Richmond, and Grose Vale Road and Bells Line of Road on the other side of Hawkesbury River at North Richmond.
Cr Lyons-Buckett said a morning peak time clearway on Kurrajong Road between Chapel and Bosworth streets in Richmond would make a difference.
‘‘There would be two streams of traffic flowing into Richmond,’’ she said.
She said an afternoon peak clearway in Bells Line of Road, near the corner of Grose Vale Road in North Richmond, would have a similar effect.
‘‘The parking there is an inhibition to traffic movement, a lot of which is turning into Grose Vale Road anyway,’’ Cr LyonsBuckett said.
Valerie, who did not want her real name published, lives in North Richmond and drives to work in Richmond.
‘‘The biggest problem is the number of accidents, about four in the last 10 days,’’ Valerie said.
‘‘People aren’t usually injured, but vehicles have to be towed and that really holds up the traffic. The waiting time on Kurrajong Road is appalling anyway. If it’s during peak, it can take 30 minutes to drive five kilometres.’’
She said things were better since the right-hand turn into Yarramundi Lane was banned.
But she said some motorists ignored the signs and too many drivers were reckless.
‘‘The road works will eventually improve things, so motorists have to be patient and pay attention,’’ Valerie said.
Cr Lyons-Buckett also said more responsible attitudes and behaviour from motorists and perhaps ongoing driver education would reduce accidents and peak time stress.