THE setting of speed limits is a vexing issue.
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Around our communities today, motorists have to contend with a whole raft of limits, from 40km/h to 50km/h, then 60km/h in some parts, 70km/h and 80km/h in the outer limits of towns or cities, before hitting 90km/h and 100km/h, and even 110km/h, on the open road.
Confusion reigns when two, three or even four different speed signs can assault motorists within a space of maybe just a few kilometres.
Authorities have been accused of “revenue-raising” by the more cynical among us, the confusing number of limit changes along the New England Highway between Tamworth and Newcastle a prime example.
However, motorist concerns must always be balanced with those of pedestrians and local residents, as is the current case at Westdale, where residents and business owners in the shopping precinct along Gunnedah Rd are appealing for another drop in the speed limit.
Roads and Maritime Services dropped the limit from 80km/h to 70km/h after concerns were expressed last year about the increasing traffic in the area and its rapid residential growth.
Now, they feel a limit of 60km/h is warranted and are taking their concerns to the NSW parliament.
For those pulling into and out of the shops, a lower limit would certainly make it safer, and there are a number of streets that feed onto Gunnedah Rd along this stretch, which also includes a high volume of heavy vehicles.
Another housing estate is being added to the mix and there’s no doubt this is the direction of future residential growth in Tamworth.
Sometimes there doesn’t seem to be a lot of common sense in the setting of speed limits, but in the case of this busy road and its increasing population, a lower limit seems timely.
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WHILE people power may get the job done in Westdale, it remains to be seen whether it will be enough to return Gordon, the police dog, to the city.
Gordon made quite the impact during his month-long trial and now residents want him back – permanently.
A month seems hardly long enough to decide whether a dog is warranted on a fulltime basis, but, that aside, an area the size of the Oxley LAC must be a strong argument to keep this four-legged crime fighter on our streets.