And, now, after endless complaints from locals and visitors alike, Singleton Council is prioritising to resolve public safety and drainage issues on Kelso Street.

A civil works program will be endorsed, including the reconstruction of the road between Bathurst Street and Edward Street, kerb and guttering, drainage and parking, while maintaining two-way traffic flow.

Ironically, council did likewise back in 2017 to fix the tar surface.

The approved program will mean previously adopted road-widening for Kelso Street will not progress.

However, council’s director corporate and community services group Anthony Egan said the revised scope of works was the best possible solution following detailed investigations by council staff and consultants.

“We know the issues affecting Kelso Street have spanned decades and, following extensive investigations by council, we have resolved that previously planned road-widening works, including the acquisition of property and one-way traffic flow is not the optimal solution,” he explained.

“The issues associated with previous solutions have been a major source of angst within the community, and these reconstruction works will alleviate that concern.

“These works are set to significantly improve public safety, property access, enables the construction of footpaths and parking spaces as well as significantly improved drainage on this section of the street, thereby significantly reducing ongoing maintenance costs.

“We will also be introducing a five tonne heavy vehicle limit on the section of Kelso Street between Bathurst Street and Edward Street, Wynyard Street and Munro Lane, to effectively eliminate the heavy vehicle shortcut through this residential area.

“Vehicles heavier than five tonnes will be exempt from the limit, if the destination of the driver lies beyond the signage and there is no alternative route.”

Provisions for works will be included in the 2019/20 and 2020/21 Roads Capital Works Program.