That’s the official word from the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) as public dissatisfaction with the $50,000 traffic calming devices intensifies.

The speed cushions were installed near the Orana Gardens retirement complex to protect elderly residents accessing the Orana Mall shopping centre.

Outspoken Dubbo councillor Richard Mutton has labelled the road changes “a disaster waiting to happen” and wants the speed cushions ripped out as a matter of urgency.

Dubbo City Council has rejected that idea but former mayor Greg Matthews admits there have been problems with visibility and signage.

On Thursday afternoon council staff positioned a number of signs in the area warning motorists of changed traffic conditions.

Councillor Mutton inspected the signs yesterday afternoon and reiterated his call for the speed cushions to be removed.

“I monitored traffic for a considerable period of time and saw some amazing driver behaviour,’’ he said.

“One woman panicked when she got to the speed cushions, took her hands off the wheel and almost hit the poles. Another driver left the roadway and tried to squeeze through the marked cycle lane. The car got stuck and he had to back off to extricate his vehicle before proceeding over the speed cushions.’’

Council spent more than a year debating safety improvements in the area before plans for speed cushions were finally adopted in May.

Councillor Mutton concedes he voted for the local area traffic management plan but claims he did so reluctantly “and only because the Roads and Traffic Authority said a pedestrian crossing would be illegal’’.

A spokesperson from the RTA yesterday told the Daily Liberal there was nothing stopping council from installing a pedestrian crossing or traffic lights.

“Windsor Parade is a local road under the care and control of council,’’ the spokesperson said.

“The RTA advised Dubbo’s local traffic committee that lights and a crossing were not warranted based on low traffic and pedestrian volumes.

“On that basis Dubbo City Council was advised it would need to cover the full costs of lights and a crossing.

“Council elected to put in speed cushions and the RTA had no hand in that.’’

The RTA spokesperson expressed surprise that council had not erected “standard” 25km/h speed limit signs.

“That’s the speed limit recommended for speed cushions,’’ the spokesperson said.

“Motorists should slow down and take care in areas of high pedestrian activity.

“Clearly people need to slow down when approaching speed cushions.’’

Dubbo City Council traffic engineer Dennis Valentine said council was taking a number of steps to improve visibility and safety in Windsor Parade.

Work will include line painting on the centre of speed cushions, advance line marking on travel lanes, traditional speed hump signage and 25km/h warning signs.

heather.crosby@ruralpress.com