"ENOUGH IS ENOUGH" Coffs Chamber of Commerce Calling on Council and RMS to remove Vegetation on Roundabout

The Coffs Harbour Chamber of Commerce is calling on both local and state government to work together to make the Englands Road Roundabout safer.

Chamber President, Martin Wells, told Triple M that both council and state government need to work together to remove the vegetation on the roundabout and add additional measures to avoid incidents like the truck rollover on Wednesday morning.

The topic is often raised each time an incident occurs at the notorious location.

Mr Wells said he is continually getting calls from members about the issues it places on local business, with people delayed to arrive at their workplaces.

While fatigue often plays a factor, the thick growth on this roundabout also blocks any view for motorists of the road ahead.

According to RMS guidelines, “if used, trees must not be planted in a configuration that will impede road user sight lines or be in a location that might obstruct errant vehicles unable to stop at the roundabout”.

It continues on to say that “trees should be frangible with a high crown”.

While the Pacific Highway roundabout is not a council road, Triple M understands that maintenance work of both roundabouts still comes under the Coffs Harbour City Council.

According to RMS, the landscaping and maintenance of roundabouts and intersections on regional and local roads is the responsibility of local council.

On state roads, the responsibility rests with Roads and Maritime Services, however the landscaping is managed by local council.

Roads and Maritime works with local councils to ensure landscaping does not affect traffic safety on roundabouts on local and regional roads.

Other suggestions from locals include the installation of ripples on the road in the lead up to the roundabouts to alert motorists through their vibration.