A West Dubbo business manager fears his business might not survive if an access-limiting concrete barrier is built as part of $20 million roadworks planned for the Whylandra Street section of the Newell Highway.
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Westside Hotel general manager Rod Webster says a Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) proposal to improve safety and traffic flow will make it harder for customers to drive into his business.
Currently northbound drivers coming into Dubbo along Whylandra Street can make multiple right turns across southbound lanes of traffic if they want to get into the hotel easily, he says.
They can also go around the roundabout at the intersection of the Mitchell and Newell Highways, or turn right onto Baird Street and go down Stonehaven Avenue and onto Elizabeth Lane if they want to easily enter the hotel.
Mr Webster says RMS are proposing to build a concrete barrier in the middle of the road that runs from a set of new traffic lights on the intersection of the Mitchell and Newell Highways, through to the intersection of Whylandra and East Streets.
"Customers think it's crazy", he says.
"If it goes ahead the business may not survive.
"We've got several access points now and we're going to go to zero."
About 50 per cent of his restaurant trade is from travelers who aren't from Dubbo and many will find it too hard to navigate their way into the hotel if the number of entry points to the site is reduced, Mr Webster claims.
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"Our customers are asking us how they get into the hotel under the proposed layout," he says.
"We are at a loss as to what to advise them.
"I am shattered at the ramifications of this proposal and I am calling on the RMS to retain at least an entry point into the hotel for traffic travelling north along Whylandra Street in West Dubbo."
Mr Webster says RMS staff advised him of their plans six month ago but never mentioned the extended concrete barrier proposal until three days before the plans went on display to the general public.
"I said to them 'whatever you do, don't block our access'," he says.
"They [RMS] told me they're looking into it but they're very well rehearsed."
Mr Webster says RMS staff told him customers will still be able to access his pub under their proposed overhaul of the road, but he believes the suggestion put forward is "preposterous".
Northbound motorists wanting to turn right into the hotel will be able to turn right onto East Street, left onto Stonehaven avenue, left onto Elizabeth lane and then left into the hotel carpark, Mr Webster claims an RMS manager told him.
"Encouraging hotel traffic to utilise the residential streets surrounding the hotel... [some of which are] basically only wide enough for one vehicle is simply a preposterous proposal...
""The other alternative provided by RMS [for northbound motorists to get into the hotel by driving down North Street, turning right onto Victoria Street and right onto Whylandra Street] requires a turn across a busy and complex intersection.
"It all becomes too hard and easier options for the customer will simply be pursued, to our considerable detriment."
Mr Webster's concerns are being treated seriously, an RMS spokesperson says.
"Community feedback will ultimately shape the final design for this proposed safety upgrade," the spokesperson says.
"The community is invited to provide feedback up to Friday June 28."
