Tamworth Carthage Street/White Street intersection: Tammy Clark wants something done about intersection

Ms Clark was involved in a four-car pile-up last month, and since then has created a petition to see if other Tamworth residents want something done about the intersection.

Armed with this petition, Ms Clark said she would be approaching Tamworth Regional Council about the notorious crossroad.

She said the intersection was at its worst during peak hour traffic in the mornings and afternoons, so motorists were having to wait for a long time to get through.

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"Seeing as though there's a roundabout at Carthage Street and Bridge Street, it doesn't make sense there's not one at White Street," she told the Leader.

"With housing increasing in the Forest Hills area, traffic is going into town avoiding Calrossy and Tamworth Public School and are going down White Street, but are increasing traffic here.

"When people are having to wait for a long time then more people are willing to take stupid risks and that's then endangering others."

She believes this was the case during the incident she was involved in.

"A car on Carthage t-boned an L-plater with right-of-way traveling up White Street, propelling the L-plater into my car, which was stationary at the stop sign. [It flung] my car around and into the car also stopped next to mine," she said.

"You're kind of just a sitting duck. I was sitting there waiting and then 'bang'."

A TRC spokesperson said the council was aware of the recent "serious accident".

Infrastructure and works manager Murray Russell said the council was "always concerned by incidents that impact on the lives of the residents and visitors to our region".

"There have been three serious injury accidents at the White and Carthage Street intersection between 2015 and 2021," said Mr Russell.

"Following the most recent accident, staff are reviewing the line-marking and sight distance at the intersection, with the aim of making some relatively low-cost improvements over the coming months."

Mr Russell said council had been "actively seeking funding from federal or state government for local roads that have a history of serious accidents".

"For example, the intersection of Hillvue Road and Garden Street was upgraded to a roundabout last year with NSW Government funding. The intersection has been the site of five serious accidents in five years," he said.

Ms Clark said anything that "keeps people safe and traffic flowing" would be helpful, as she now completely avoids the area after her experience.

"Awareness needs to be put out there for [the council] to look at it and take some responsibility for why it keeps happening," she said.

"There must be something they can do."

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