EAST Tamworth residents are furious with a council plan to drastically shrink one of the city’s oldest streets.
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White St residents and ratepayers were told in a letter from Tamworth Regional Council that works would begin imminently to reduce the width of their street by seven metres.
Residents fear narrowing the road will take away from the heritage appeal of their homes, and will meet onsite with council this week in a last-ditch bid to save their street.
The reconstruction works on the road will start at the railway line on Marius St and move up to Napier St.
The street is going to change from one of the grandest streets in Tamworth to just a normal suburban street.
- White St resident Mark Woodley
Mark Woodley spoke to The Leader on behalf of the outraged White St residents and was concerned with the lack of consultation by Tamworth Regional Council.
“The main issue is that it’s one of the oldest streets in Tamworth and its got a lot of heritage and history,” Mr Woodley said.
“Everyone in East Tamworth loves the big wide streets and the big gutters and that’s the reason our rates are a lot higher and one of the reasons we live there.”
The White St shrinkage was not considered before council, with works scheduled to commence “before Christmas” and due to be completed by June 30, 2017.
“They’re going to take seven metres off the road, which is very significant,” Mr Woodley said.
“The street is going to change from one of the grandest streets in Tamworth to just a normal suburban street.”
Council outlined the scope of the works in a letter mailed to the affected residents.
“These works are to replace and relocate the existing ageing water main which runs up White Street, construct new kerb and guttering on a new alignment and renew the road pavement,” the letter stated.
“The road pavement width will be reduced by approximately seven metres and the footpath will be increased by approximately 3.5 metres on both sides of the road.”
Tamworth mayor Col Murray stood by council’s plans to upgrade the street as “a great opportunity for a real refresh”.
Cr Murray said having a main, which he earmarks as up to 100 years old, running through the centre of a street causes an uneven surface and replacing it was necessary.
On top of that, a number of White St residents have “strong concerns” about some of the trees lining the street, which have since been recommended for removal.
“It’s a chance to tidy (the street up),” Cr Murray said.
“Big, wide roads also make for a very hot environment.
(Increasing) green space is a much cooler option.”
Cr Murray insisted reducing the street’s width would not impact on traffic movements.
“As with all change, there will be concerns from residents and it’s reasonable to expect you can’t please everyone,” he said.
Cr Murray said other roads could face a similar fate, but it would be an “as-needs thing”. He urged anyone concerned about the plans to contact council.