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today19 January 2025
In the wake of severe storms that battered the region, closing roads, cutting power, and damaging countless homes and businesses, workers on the front lines have experienced the best and the worst of human behavior. Among them is Pauline Bradshaw, a traffic controller assisting local councils and essential service crews, who shared her story of tireless efforts, public backlash, and rare acts of kindness.
“The destruction is widespread,” Bradshaw said. “It’s like the apocalypse for some people, and some are so selfish and don’t take into account the scale of destruction and damage to essential services.”
Bradshaw’s job involves ensuring safety for crews as they work around the clock to clear debris and restore electricity. Yet despite her mission, she says she has been met with hostility from some members of the public.
“Unfortunately, I have been abused and told off a few times whilst trying to do my job,” she revealed. “I have personally been told off doing my job because they must think we are personally responsible for the power still being off or for a road closure when there are trees and power lines down.”
Frustrations on the Road
The storms closed several major and minor roads, as fallen trees and broken power lines made many routes impassable. Bradshaw and her fellow traffic controllers routinely field questions from irate drivers demanding a clear path.
“I get asked by annoyed people why the road isn’t open or when it’s going to open. People want to get to certain places and expect immediate solutions,” Bradshaw explained. “But believe me, a five-minute detour is not the end of the world. We’re just trying to keep everyone safe.”
In her role, Bradshaw coordinates with essential workers, electricity crews, council staff, and emergency responders to ensure that while they repair power lines and remove fallen trees, nobody is at risk from passing cars or other hazards.
“We have crews working 24/7 with wonderful people to help get the job done faster and safer,” she said. “They have families to go home to, just like us.”
A Call for Empathy
Bradshaw hopes the public remembers that behind every road closure or temporary power outage, there is a human chain of dedicated professionals working to restore normality as soon as possible.
“Please all remember that people are working tirelessly to help give you a normal existence again,” she appealed. “It’s not the end of the world, and there are people in other parts of the world who don’t have half of what we have.”
Despite the challenges, Bradshaw has also witnessed moments of compassion from grateful motorists and residents. Some have offered workers hot drinks or simply shared encouraging words, small gestures that go a long way in mitigating the stress and fatigue.
“Don’t Ever Judge”
Bradshaw’s final message is for those who belittle or undervalue the roles of traffic controllers and other frontline workers.
“Don’t ever judge anyone on the job they do,” she said firmly. “We’re here to keep everyone safe, and the essential workers appreciate it because they know we help them go home to their families safely.”
While the storm damage across the Hunter is significant, utility companies have pledged that repairs and clean-up will continue around the clock until the region is back on its feet. Meanwhile, Pauline Bradshaw hopes the public will exercise patience and show kindness to all those working on the front lines of this unprecedented weather event.
Written by: Newy Staff
Newy 87.8 FM is an FM radio station established in 2014 targeting Classic Hits music enthusiasts across Newcastle and The Central Coast, Australia. The station plays 60s 70s and 80s music. The station can be streamed online via this website or smart phone apps such as Tunein. In 2024 we opened a local newsroom dedicated to publishing Newcastle News.
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