Residents were given a reprieve for almost two years while Frame Drive bridge was closed, but since the bridge’s re-opening in February this year the traffic is back – and the community says it’s about time the road is upgraded.

The traffic at the intersection of Gingers Lane, Hart Road, Sawyers Gully Road and Government Road is their primary concern.

Transport for NSW’s Centre for Road Safety has recorded six crashes (with three people injured) at that intersection since the expressway opened in March 2014 – but the centre only reports on crashes in which at least one person was killed or injured, or in which at least one vehicle was towed away.

Locals say many more accidents have occurred at that intersection, including two within three days earlier this month.

Nearby resident Rachael McGee said the community is concerned that there will be a fatality.

“People get impatient and do stupid things,” Ms McGee said.

“There have been so many near misses.

“We want someone to acknowledge that it needs to be made a priority.”

Speeding drivers and poor lighting on Gingers Lane, and the safety of school children walking to the bus stop on Sawyers Gully Road are also among residents’ concerns.

Gingers Lane, Hart Road, Sawyers Gully Road and Government Road are under the care and control of Cessnock City Council.

A council spokesperson said the council “strongly believes” the intersection should have been have been addressed by Roads and Maritime Services as part of the Hunter Expressway project.

Council and RMS are working together to look at potential upgrades at this location as well as the intersection of Orange Street and Cessnock Road.

Council received $4.45 million from the NSW Government’s Fixing Country Roads program in May for works to further improve conditions on Frame Drive from Gingers Lane through to Orange Street.

Ms McGee said she and other residents can’t understand why Cessnock Council would re-open Frame Drive bridge before addressing the “more dangerous” intersection and its safety issues.

“They had nearly two years to do something with the intersection whilst the Frame Drive Bridge was out, and nothing was done,” she said.

“Gingers Lane has become a major arterial road now, that frankly the council and RMS hadn’t prepared for.

“Council seriously needs to put some action into upgrading this intersection. It’s a fatality waiting to happen. The safety concerns need addressing as soon as possible – it might just save a life.”

Centre for Road Safety executive director Bernard Carlon said intersections can be some of the most dangerous road environments, as there are a greater number of potential conflict points for vehicles.

“Drivers and pedestrians at intersections can be particularly vulnerable to right angle or T-bone crashes which can often have devastating outcomes,” he said.

“T-bone crashes between two vehicles often occur at high speed and can expose drivers and passengers to increased risk of death and serious injury.

“At intersections it is important the vehicle travelling on the road that ends gives way to any vehicles travelling on the road that continues unless otherwise signposted.”