ROADWORKS proposed by the Ipswich City Council at the corner of Berlin and Matthew streets in Rosewood are a major concern for long time Rosewood resident Brian Murray.
He admits that the intersection is already dangerous.
“The intersection has double lines warning drivers to stay on the correct side of the road, though sadly these lines are often ignored,” Brian said.
“I have been told that Ipswich City Council wants to place a calming section on these double lines to encourage vehicles to use the cul-de-sacs that are situated further up Matthew Street which is a no through road to turn around.”
Brian said a Council engineer had told him that the works will make it impossible for vehicles to turn around at the intersection and he believes that this will cause major problems.
“Urban Utilities, Ipswich council trucks, fire engines and numerous other service vehicles use this intersection to turn around and by installing the calming section these services will not be able to access the area.”
Brian’s solution is to leave the intersection as it stands.
“Simply leave the road as it is and seal the area where vehicles wish to turn around, problem solved.”
In April 2018 council resurfaced Berlin Street, added concrete edging to Matthew Street and sealed the road into Matthew Street.
“On the outside of this concrete edging a bitumen surface was created and vehicles used this area to turn around, this worked well until the bitumen surface was removed,” he said.
“Recently council have undertaken works in Matthew Street and during this time they have added to the deterioration on this gravel area.
“Matthew Street was also used as a dumping ground for all of the left-over materials and bitumen that was dug up from the works that took place.
“The proposed works on this intersection seem like a waste of money, council should have left the area as it was, because there were no issues.”
And Brian believes the problem could have been solved by consulting with residents.
“I do not think council has consulted any of the 40 odd house holders in this area and I would think there would be many upset people if they knew what the council planned to do.”
In response to questions from the Moreton Border News, Council, through a media officer, said the proposed works were currently being assessed for suitability to ensure the safety of vehicles traversing through the intersection.
“Potentially impacted property owners will be notified during the process and no works will commence without engagement with them,” he promised.
