The unsealed lane is located on the outskirts of Parkes on the Newell Highway, 2.5 kilometres south of the Parkes Hospital and 75 metres from a railway crossing.

The lane’s residents fear for their safety and that of their fellow motorists every time they turn into the road from the Newell Highway.

With highway traffic travellling at 110km/h, a blind spot from the rise in the highway in the southbound lane before the intersection, potholes and dust from the gravel road – residents said Hideaway Lane’s current state is a major safety hazard.

Jan Charlton has been living in Hideaway Lane for 23 years and said it’s frightening slowing down to turn into the road when semi-trailers and caravans were travelling at 110km/h towards you and closely behind.

Jan goes as far as pulling over to the side of the road a kilometre or so before the intersection to let the trucks behind her pass when she’s driving home.

Jan’s cousin Gary Frame visits on a regular basis and has noticed how dangerous the area is.

“Oncoming traffic is travelling towards you at 110km/h [and] cars are following you towards Forbes are approaching the rear of your car at 110km/h,” he said.

“It is only at the last minute that they realise you are turning right.”

Jan said she avoids using the road because it’s so dangerous, her preference being to access Hideaway Lane from Saleyards Road.

“I want to warn the public to be very wary using this road, there’s more and more people using it,” she said.

“I’m waiting for something to happen, I’m warning people all the time. There’s been so many near misses on this road.”

Jan’s daughter has had a car accident at the intersection and was hospitalised when a car collided with her from the rear and a car hitting her on the side.

Jan is surprised there hasn’t been more accidents.

Other concerns of the road include the dust from vehicles affecting drivers’ vision, blowing into homes and covering washing on clotheslines; stock on the road and people walking or children riding bikes alongside the road.

“Due to the drought conditions, the first [home] transfers their sheep twice daily from one paddock to the next and return,” Gary said.

“The lane has only recently become a shortcut from the Forbes road through to the west side of Parkes - it used to finish at the second house.

“There are ‘stock ahead’ signs warning of the sheep but most cars still travel along the road in excess of 70km/h [and] due to the dust after the first car goes past, any following car wouldn't see the kids [on their bikes or the sheep] until it is too late.

“It is only a matter of time before there is an accident.”

The residents suggested a turning or passing lane on the Newell Highway would make the intersection safer, as would sealing the road.

Jan said she has alerted Parkes Shire Council to the issues.

“The Parkes Council says it is up to the RMS (Roads and Maritime Services) to fix the road and the RMS says it is up to the Parkes Council,” Gary said.

“We’re not blaming council for this, we just want something done about it.”

The residents turned to State Member for Orange Phil Donato to also voice their concerns, meeting with him at the intersection.

Mr Donato said his first action was to speak with council.

“In fairness to them (council), they said they weren’t aware of the issue,” he said.

“There are legitimate concerns for safety here...I’ve only been here for 20 minutes and I’ve already counted 30-40 b doubles and caravans,” he said when he met with residents.

“There could be more done to make this intersection safer, whether that be resurfacing the road to include a turning lane or increased signage.”

Parkes Shire Council’s general manager Kent Boyd said the maintenance of Hideaway Lane fell under the jurisdiction of council, with the Newell Highway and its signage falling under the jurisdiction of the RMS. 

“Council were not aware of any current residents concerns on either the condition of Hideaway Lane or the intersection of Hideaway Lane and the Newell Highway until being contacted by the media to respond to customer concerns over inactivity from council,” he said.

“Council will endeavour to respond to road maintenance issues.

“With regards to sealing and upgrade works, they are prioritised within the budgets available, with the assistance of the Regional Roads Advisory Group, against the other projects across the road network.”

Mr Boyd said council would be happy to meet with the residents of Hideaway Lane, to identify the key issues.

He also said he has spoken with Mr Donato about the residents' concerns.