HAWKESBURY Council should conduct a poll to definitively gauge the community’s feelings on a Windsor bypass.
Councillor Paul Rasmussen asked Council staff at its July 26 meeting, whether a poll would be possible.
Cr Rasmussen said as far as he was aware, no one had ever actually conducted something like this to get a definite gauge of the public’s attitude towards a bypass.
“It does cost a bit of money, however, I think it is important,” he said.
“Getting a thorough public view of what they would like is important on this issue.”
Cr Rasmussen said he was stridently opposed to the state government’s plans to replace Windsor Bridge.
“I am not in favour of the current option to replace a two lane bridge with a two lane bridge, even though it is a more modern structure,” he said.
“Once the state government has spent all the money, they will not come back to the issue for a very long time.
“Some bridges last for 100 years, such as the one we are talking about. We will have another two lane bridge for another 100 years. I know it is not going to work.”
Cr Rasmussen said he did not think the public realised what it would be like while the work on Windsor Bridge was being conducted.
“It will probably take them a good 9-12 months to build the thing, and in the meantime there are going to be horrendous back ups in Windsor,” he said.
“There is no way the whole thing isn't going to come to a grinding halt. People are going to live through hell for 12 months.”
He said building a bypass would allow construction to go ahead, while allowing people to get on with their lives.
Community Action for Windsor Bridge president Peter Reynolds said he was in favour of the idea.
“There has never been anything done like that. The RMS had a public consultation online, but I am not aware of anything happening like that as far as the Windsor Bridge and bypass issues,” he said.
“I think it would be a good idea. The issue now is that the traffic has gone that bad that it backs up well before the North Richmond Bridge and Windsor Bridge in the afternoons. It is a district wide issue.”
Hawkesbury Council’s acting director of support services Emma Galea said a response would be provided to Council on August 9.