By JONATHON HOWARD
A BUS thoroughfare via Swan Street, Wylah Street and Creek Road has raised safety concerns from several residents.
The bus route allows buses to turn around after travelling down Lake Weyba Drive picking up at the Noosa Waters Retirement Estate and back to Weyba Road.
According to several residents, there are almost “zero pickups” from Swan Street to Creek Road and many fear an accident could occur due to the blind corners and narrow passing widths.
Ted Murphy lives on the busway with his young family and he raised the issue in a letter to Noosa Today.
“We continue to attest that it is improper, some would argue unlawful, to use Swan Street, Wylah Street and Creek Road as a thoroughfare for these large buses,” he said.
“We believe Swan Street, Wylah Street and Creek Road are safest to perform the function for which they were designed, under the Noosa Plan, to give access to private property with on-street parking for residents and visitors with the occasional large vehicle.”
Mr Murphy believes the back streets are not designed to carry regular bus movement – “nor is it safe to allow this bus movement to continue,” he said.
The matter had been previously raised and the Department of Transport and Main Roads who carried out a safety audit and found the route to be suitable for buses.
But Mr Murphy has slammed the safety audit labelling it “flawed”.
“How can a road pass a road safety audit for buses when road does not meet the legislated width requirements under the Transport Planning and Co-ordination Regulation 2005,” he said.
“We also note that the surface of the pavement on these streets, particularly on Creek Road, is becoming heavily cracked by this constant bus movement.”
Have your say: Do you think large buses should be allowed to turn around using Creek Road? Email your thoughts to: newsdesk@noosatoday.net.au