Mollymook pedestrian safety campaign leader Peter Earley is frustrated that a new street crossing at the shops will not be built before Christmas.
Funding is approved to link the two shopping areas on opposite sides of congested Tallwood Avenue – next March.
Pedestrians including school children, the elderly and holidaymakers will have to remain alert and nimble to negotiate heavy traffic through summer.
Watch Video: “We’re extremely disappointed,” residents’ spokesman Peter Earley said.
“We’ve waited well over 18 months, hoping it would be done by this Christmas.
“We were lucky to get through last Christmas and Easter without any injuries.”
Mr Earley led campaigning residents, who gathered a petition of 900 signatures at the start of last summer, demanding urgent action to add a new designated crossing, and alter traffic movements and street parking.
This was in anticipation of heavier traffic that came with the developments of the new shopping centre car park and Bannister’s new Pavilion hotel opposite the original shops.
“We’ve waited well over 18 months. We were lucky to get through last Christmas and Easter without any injuries.”
- Peter Earley
Ward three councillor Patricia White has acknowledged “there has been a lot of safety concern surrounding pedestrian movements, particularly for older residents and school children”.
Council’s works diagram, just updated, shows plans for a raised pedestrian crossing – a four-metre wide blister-style hump with a flat top.
There would be associated signage, parking restrictions and the usual piano key line marking on the crossing ramp.
The existing bus shelter at the crossing site will go and a new slimline shelter will be placed in a safer location.
"There has been a lot of safety concern surrounding pedestrian movements, particularly for older residents and school children."
- Councillor Patricia White
Cr White also acknowledges what drawings of new bus stops indicate - on both sides of the street they need to be away from new crossing, and to also minimise the need for alighting passengers to cross either of two side streets.
“We’ve tried to address all the issues raised to improve safety in this street which is very busy, especially in holiday time,” she said.
“Once the design works are completed, council will undertake community consultation to finalise the design.”
Council’s survey and design work is expected to be completed by January and the intention to build in March is to avoid the Christmas and Easter school holidays.
However, Mr Earley finds the timing “beyond belief”.
State Government funding for the upgrade has been approved and accepted by council through the Active Transport program.
“With the project fully funded, I cannot understand why there is no determination on Council's part to get it done by Christmas, before peak pedestrian and vehicle traffic,” Mr Earley said.
