Access from the road on to the New England Highway will soon be blocked with bollards.

Those wanting to access the highway will have to drive through Holmfield Drive, through the Foothills Estate, and enter the motorway via a new fourth leg on the Glen Innes roundabout. 

The issue has divided neighbours. In the Have Your Say segment at Council’s meeting on Tuesday night, Russell Evans said he was concerned trucks that normally used Link Road would take the winding route of Holmfield Drive. 

“More people oppose the closure [of Link Road] than who are for it,” he said.

“Since the roundabout has been constructed, there have been two incidents of semi-trailers tipping over.” 

Homeowners who wanted Council not to close the road were disappointed, with many citing concerns over a lack of direct access for emergency services for residents in the area.

But on Tuesday night previous plans to have timber bollards installed to block the road were altered to be removable steel bollards.

Peter O’Donohue said the change was made to “foresee the unforeseeable” and that same access to the highway would be available for those on foot and bicycles.

Residents opposed to the closure also questioned which route made by B-double trucks from a quarry, which currently utilises Link Road, would be able to take given the large trucks are not legally allowed to use Holmfield Drive. Gordon Watson said the restriction of B-doubles from Holmfield Drive would alleviate safety concerns. “The fact is, large B-doubles are not permitted on Holmfield Drive,” Mr Watson said.

“Link Road should be closed in accordance with the agreement with the developer.”

Council received 40 submissions or 66 pages from ratepayers responding to the decision, with the majority against its closure.