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How traffic calmer became hoon hazard

A ‘CHICANE’ intended to slow down traffic on Military Road at Guildford (pictured), has turned into a traffic hazard by hoon drivers.

Requests to remove the chicane due to the number of speeding vehicles losing control and crashing into nearby traffic islands, were rejected last month by Cumberland Council’s Traffic Committee.
A council report noted the site’s proximity to Guildford Public School and that it was put in place because speeding along the busy road was an issue.
Instead the committee approved additional traffic calming efforts including speed cushions, line marking and signage on the approaches to the existing ‘chicane’.
Running parallel to the railway line, Military Road carries more than 3,650 vehicles a day and according to the Centre for Road Safety (CFRS) accident database, there were eight reported accidents between Carrington Road and Turner Street in a five-year period to June 2019.
Previous concerns about the site saw improvements made to lighting in 2015 but five accidents were recorded after that work was completed.