NO NEED FOR SPEED: Wallace Lane resident Peter Gibson is calling for the speed limit of Pinnacle Road and Lake Canobolas Road to be dropped from 80km/h to 60km/h. Photo: JUDE KEOGH 1022gibson1
NO NEED FOR SPEED: Wallace Lane resident Peter Gibson is calling for the speed limit of Pinnacle Road and Lake Canobolas Road to be dropped from 80km/h to 60km/h. Photo: JUDE KEOGH 1022gibson1
THE 80 km/h speed limit on Pinnacle Road makes it Orange’s version of Mount Panorama and needs to he dropped to 60km/h, according to resident Peter Gibson.
A recent bid to drop the speed limit of Lake Canobolas Road from 80 km/h to 60 km/h is not the first time residents have campaigned for a speed limit change for the narrow roads leading to Mount Canobolas.
Mr Gibson said the area was favoured by hoons but also attracted higher speeds from everyday drivers who felt entitled to drive at 80km/h, even in areas where the road was barely wide enough for two vehicles to pass.
“A lot of locals travel with the knowledge of the road and go 60km/h,” he said.
“But there’s always some jock who insists on doing the maximum speed.
“It’s only a matter of time before we have another serious accident.”
He wrote to the then Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) in 2009 calling for a speed limit reduction on Pinnacle Road, from Campbells Corner to where the Lake Canobolas Road meets Cargo Road.
He also has letters from Orange City Council and Cabonne Council confirming they would refer the speed limit change to the RTA.
But a Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) spokeswoman said the department had no record of a speed zone review request for Pinnacle or Lake Canobolas roads.
Mr Gibson said the speed limit on Pinnacle Road from Racecourse Road was fine up until where the road begins to creep up to Mount Canobolas and join with the lake road, where drivers need all their concentration to stay safe.
With no middle line and overhanging trees blocking the narrow road most vehicles, especially trucks, drive in the centre of the road.
“Near the top of the pinnacle right down to Cargo Road needs to be 60 km/h,” he said.
“The lake road itself is in appalling condition.”
Mr Gibson has been involved in two accidents on the road, caused by lack of visibility.
He said the road was the main tourist drive out of town, with visitors encouraged to vist the four cellar doors on the strip, the lake, the mountain and the tea house.
“They don’t want to be pushed to go 80km/h they want to stop and enjoy the view,” he said.
“It’s also a regular route for cyclists ... from the lake road, the pinnacle and back into town.”
The RMS spokeswoman says speed zone reviews assess and consider a number of factors including road geometry, roadside environment, traffic volumes, nearby developments, traffic mix and access points such as driveways.
Concerns can also be submitted to local council or RMS regional offices or via the NSW Safer Roads website at www.saferroadsnsw. com.au.
clare.colley@fairfaxmedia.com.au