The Leader has this week been inundated with feedback from dozens of drivers fearful of suffering fender-

benders on the “roulette wheels”.

The practice of planting shrubs on the traffic-management devices has been variously described as “idiotic”, “appalling” and downright “dangerous”.

Shane Green is just one of more than 300 people to comment about the safety of Tamworth’s roundabouts on The Leader’s Facebook page in recent days.

“The view is blocked on many major roundabouts in the city and (they) are incredibly dangerous,” he said.

“You can be as careful as you like, but when you get first visibility of an oncoming vehicle after they have entered the roundabout and cleared the shrubs, they’re almost on top of you.”

Roads and Maritime Services confirmed the council was responsible for managing “vegetation on all roundabouts in the Tamworth local government area”.

An RMS spokesman said there had been three reported crashes at the notorious Scott Rd and Goonoo Goonoo Rd roundabout in the past three years – two of which resulted in injuries.

The roundabout at Jewry and Peel streets – widely regarded as Tamworth’s most dangerous intersection – has also been the scene of three reported crashes over the same period.

Veteran councillor Warren Woodley said he did not see what all the fuss was about and would not support any moves to rip plants and shrubs out from roundabouts.

He said if all motorists approached the roundabouts carefully and obeyed the road rules, then they should not have a problem.

“I’ve never had a problem with it all,” he said.

“You don’t have to see through them. It’s not the roundabouts, it’s the drivers.

“If you ask me to take out all the vegetation, I would have trouble with it, because I think some of them are rather beautiful.”

Tamworth Regional Council has been approached for comment.