THE NRMA can expect a poison-pen letter from Tamworth Regional Council (TRC) after it told local media it had "genuine road safety concerns" about an upgrade to the Calala Lane intersection.
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The council claims the NRMA never contacted it about road safety concerns before it spoke exclusively to the Leader about a new roundabout for Calala Lane and Campbell Road that "failed to address the concerns of local residents".
"The very fact that we haven't received any formal notification, or haven't in fact received any correspondence, any discussion at all with NRMA - I don't think we can consider what we don't have," TRC mayor Col Murray said.
"I would argue that the process should take its course, and it's a governance question of the NRMA.
"Is this trial by media or does the NRMA have a genuine safety or engineering concern? I've got no idea."
The council voted last night to acquire land to widen the road and award the tender for the upgrade of the intersection.
Nearby residents have criticized the development, which they believe poses a danger to children due to the intersection's proximity to a school zone.
The locals believe the roundabout should be replaced with traffic lights.
Despite concerns, the council's own design has been approved by police and Transport for NSW.
Councillor Russell Webb said he was aware the intersection had attracted significant media attention, but didn't understand why the NRMA had not contacted the council directly.
"I think it's a bit rude to be honest with you," he said.
"If they have comments, we are the authority in charge of what goes on here in terms of road construction and management, so why aren't they talking to us?"
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The councillors voted unanimously to write to the NRMA and ask it for an explanation of its concerns.
Council has approved the final design for the $800,000 intersection upgrade and plans to complete the job by August.
A council spokesman told the Leader previously that the organisation had conducted two face-to-face consultation meetings, a letterbox drop to nearby residents, a fact sheet to Calala businesses in 2020 and individual meetings with residents who would be directly affected by the roundabout.
Editor's note: The NRMA did attempt to respond to the Leader to offer comment, but a telecommunications issue prevented the Leader from receiving a response.
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