Green light for new roundabout to improve pedestrian safety

TWO years after controversy surrounded the installation of the first roundabouts in Charters Towers in 147 years, construction of a new one has been approved.

Charters Towers Regional Council voted to install a roundabout at the intersection of Racecourse Rd and Peek St this financial year.

Council infrastructure services director Cameron Scott said there would be significant construction at the intersection due to the width of the road and the need to slow the traffic down at entry points.

“The safety improvements are significant,” Mr Scott told councillors.

He said the works were part of the 2019-20 Capital Works Program for design and were proposed in the 2020-21 works program for construction using Roads to Recovery funding and council funds.

The costs of construction were not tabled at the meeting.

Deputy Mayor Sonia Bennetto noted the roundabout would assist with heavy pedestrian traffic at the intersection around school hours.

“The aim of slowing traffic down there is great,” Cr Bennetto said.

Mr Scott told councillors the size of the roundabout would be similar to that of the existing roundabout at the intersection of Church and High streets, near the Sovereign Tavern.

There will be pedestrian crossing points on all four roads, just back from the giveway line, with pedestrian refuges in the central traffic islands.

Council is yet to confirm when work on the roundabout construction will begin.