A report compiled by council officers found a potential for “class or individual action by an aggrieved landowner” who may have bought their land believing Link Road would be closed.

Furthermore, Holmfield Drive  would need to be widened to accommodate B-double trucks which currently use Link Road  to access a quarry on the other side of the city.

Council has no plans to alter Holmfield Drive, which is able to  take semi-trailers and other large vehicles.

The issue has divided residents. Last year, a group called for Link Road to remain open, saying its closure could force more traffic to use the roundabout and increase the likelihood of a serious accident. 

Now other residents have spoken out, saying keeping the exit open poses a danger to children.

Homeowner Chrystine Renfrew objects to suggestions the road remain open as residents are exposed to large trucks taking the route from Ducat’s Quarry, owned by Peter Ducat.

“When fully loaded, all trucks have little hope of stopping if a child runs on to the road,” she said.

“An alternative would be to use the Queen Elizabeth Drive [and] Martin Street access which is already an approved heavy vehicle route.”

There is also poor visibility for vehicles attempting to turn on to the New England Highway from the Link Road exit and the bend in the highway makes turning on to Link Road equally dangerous, residents say.

But Armidale Dumaresq councillor Rob Richardson said not considering keeping the route open would only cause Council grief further down the track. “My big concern is the volume of traffic and the bigger concern is there is still a heck of a lot of places that are being built, in five years’ time those residents are absolutely going to be complaining,” he said. 

Part of the agreement to build the Foothills Estate was the McCloy Group would develop a replacement road, Holmfield Drive.

The report also found if Holmfield Drive was to be designated as a B-Double route work would need to be completed “at Council’s expense” and include reconfiguring the intersection to an increased  width and removing median islands.

Councillors have resolved to continue with steps towards closing Link Road, with the next procedural phase to advertise the proposal for public feedback.

However, the final decision will be considered in conjunction with community responses.