First Feedback On Designs

WITHIN the first three hours of the Roads and Maritime Services consultation for the bypass and rail overpass designs yesterday, approximately 70 people had attended with many of them spending more than an hour discussing the options.

The RMS had five representatives present to discuss the designs and the golf course design was also on display.

Discussing the plans for Scone: Errol Elliott, Ron Wakem and Robert Brayley.

Bill Howey, local resident, said the consultation was worthwhile and the sense was the RMS were listening to the residents.

“There is some good robust dialogue which is good to see,” said Mr Howey.

“The RMS have been very patient and they have said they are here to listen, so the approach has been different, which is good,” he said.

“The general feeling is though that no one likes any of the rail bridge options,” he said.

“I don’t think any option would solve everything, but certainly the Council’s idea for the heavy vehicles is a good option and would dissipate the angst.

“The golf course everyone thinks is fantastic, it really is superb,” he said.

“But we need to get the designs for the bypass and town right, it is hugely important,” Bill Howey said.

Ron Wakem, resident and bus driver was one of many who did not like any of the rail bridge options presented.

“I don’t like any of those,” said Mr Wakem.

“If they’ve got an overpass in town and trucks going straight into Muffett street would be a start,” he said.

Ron was also concerned about the water management with the northern end of the bypass, with water from the east of the town flowing down to one side of the bypass and water from the west also flowing towards the bypass.

“You’ve got two merging lots of water and they’ve put a wall in the middle,” Ron Wakem said.

Harry Wicks, who lives in Parker street, shares Ron’s concerns.

“I’m worried about the drainage system, all the water from the east coming down and hitting a wall,” said Mr Wicks.

“They should have gone with the first option and not done the bypass,” he said.

“I’m worried about property values there and if there’ll be sound barriers,” Harry Wicks said.

Richard Apps, a local emergency service volunteer said he prefers the Council’s option.

“I like Wayne Bedggood’s idea that the trucks go straight into Muffett Street,” said Mr Apps.

“In terms of emergencies services, we want to get to the east side of town and that worked in the original design, but now that has been hijacked into a bypass and now there is all this hassle,” he said.

Harry Wicks said the t-intersection at St Aubin’s was also an issue.

“A lot of people are going crook about the t-intersection, there’s going to be a lot of accidents here,” Mr Wicks said.

The RMS will be holding another two opportunities to provide feedback on their designs on Thursday, February 4 and Friday, February 5 at the Scone Motor Inn. Click on our Community Calendar for more information.