Residents angry over Airlie Crescent closure

Lachlan Queenan is up in arms over the closure of Airlie Crescent.

He says the latest development in the main street upgrade saga is just another example of council not listening to the residents.

“We have all been kept in the dark. No consultation by council. We are going to lose our access completely and are now expected to drive right up and around Begley Street – which doesn’t only affect us but people in Begley and Simmons too. How are the emergency services going to cope with the increase in traffic? It’s been in planning for the past six months and the first time we heard about the Airlie Crescent closing was through the letter box drop just recently.  Out of the 14 people who have returned my phone calls only two were aware of what was happening,” Mr Queenan said.

Mayor candidate Jennifer Whitney said when council made the decision to call for tenders she questioned whether consultation had taken place.

“We were told yes and this now appears to be incorrect because I have had four phone calls alone this morning (yesterday). Surely they can’t all be telling a lie I don’t believe,” she said.

“They are quite concerned that they haven’t been consulted and they’re not being listened to. If I am elected mayor I will put this process on hold and consult with the affected people to make sure the community is on-board with this project. It’s not about stopping it, it’s about putting it on hold, re-evaluating that intersection and we might even start down the other end of the town first.”

Deputy mayor Rogin Taylor said the engineers had looked at every conceivable way of working towards a solution not to close Airlie Crescent.

“Because Waterson Way is going to be widened - where Airlie Crescent intercepts Waterson way, the gradient would be too steep for traffic,” Cr Taylor said.

A council spokesperson said after discussions with Airlie Crescent residents, Council instructed GHD to explore every available option for retaining direct access into Airlie Crescent from Waterson Way. 

”It became clear that there is simply no means by which this could be achieved to the standard required by the Dept of Main Roads (due to the unacceptable steep grade caused by lowering the pavement on Waterson Way to achieve the requisite sight lines),” the spokesperson said.

Accordingly the adopted solution required by Department of Transport and Main Roads is for a cul-de-sac to terminate Airlie Crescent.  

“This decision was ultimately out of the control of Council.   The appropriate residents have been advised this information and Council has also liaised with Emergency Services and Police.”