Clifford Street traffic lights

Traffic lights at the intersection will incorporate real-time traffic sensors meaning signals will be responsive to traffic flow, prioritising safe access for all road users while maintaining flow.

Features of the proposed system include:

• Dual lanes at Clifford Street catering for people turning right or left onto Broken Head Road.
• Turning lanes onto Clifford Street from the north and south on Broken Head Road.
• Controlled pedestrian crossings.
• Priority phasing for emergency services.
• Three phase operation:
  • North and south-bound movements
  • Dedicated north-bound right turn movement
  • Exit movement from Clifford Street. 

Congestion at this intersection is expected to continue to increase, compromising the safety of drivers and pedestrians.

• Safety - The intersection has been identified as a high-risk location due to the number and types of crashes that have occurred which have involved pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles.  
• Accessibility - There is currently no safe way for people to cross Clifford Street that is compliant with NSW road safety legislation.
• Congestion - Drivers turning from Clifford Street onto Broken Head Road often experience long wait times which can cause frustration and increase risky driver behaviour.
• Growth - traffic volumes will increase with population growth over the next 10 years.  Volumes on Broken Head Road are expected to increase by three percent annually, with a one percent annual increase on Clifford Street.

Roundabout (large or small)

While there is currently some community support for a roundabout (large or small) it is not viable for the following reasons.

Land acquisition

A large roundabout will need private land acquisition which, when compared to 2017, is too expensive.  Land prices in recently years have increased significantly and previous attempts to purchase the land have failed.  Council prefers not to make compulsory acquisitions.

Safety for pedestrians and cyclists

A roundabout offers no controlled crossing points or traffic management.

Mini-roundabout

Independent assessments have found that there are limitations with a mini roundabout including:

• There is insufficient deflection for vehicles meaning drivers could enter the roundabout at high speeds, increasing the risk of crashes.
• Heavy vehicles would not be able to maneuver around the roundabout and will need a mountable island which could increase safety risks.

Traffic performance

A roundabout, large or small, would not provide the same level of controlled access to Clifford Street.  Drivers turning onto Broken Head Road would still need to give way leading to congestion and delays.

Other solutions

Council and independent experts have looked at a range of other solutions that could be installed in lieu of lights, but they would not address safety or reduce congestion as effectively as traffic signals.

These alternatives include:

Speed reduction

Reducing the speed limit for north-bound drivers on Broken Head Road is unlikely to improve safety without additional traffic calming measures which would impact on congestion.

Improved line marking

While improved line marking will benefit drivers and pedestrians by making crossings and turning paths more visible, as a stand-alone treatment it does not address congestion, turning conflicts or risk-taking when turning north onto Broken Head Road.

Better lighting

While lighting improves awareness, safety at the intersection is most compromised during peak periods in the morning and afternoon, during the day.