Residents not impressed
Some nearby residents are astounded at road crossings supposed to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists built in Albert and Normanby Sts in Warragul.
The Albert St “crossing” between Kent and George Sts was built only a couple of weeks ago; the one in Normanby St 200-300 metres north of the intersection with Albert St last year.
Baw Baw shire council last week clarified that the crossings were called “kerb outstands”, small concrete intrusions onto the edges of the roads that provide a crossing point accessible to people with wheelchairs, personal motorised scooters and other walking aids as well as those pushing prams.
When mayor Joe Gauci announced late in May that a start was imminent on the Albert St work he referred to it as a new “pedestrian cyclist” crossing.
He said the section of Albert St with its wide traffic lanes and 60 kilometre per hour speed limit made it difficult for pedestrians to get across the road at peak times.
Cr Gauci said there had been requests from several residents for a crossing in Albert St and “this will make it easier for pedestrians to negotiate road traffic along this very busy road.”
Doug Elliott, who lives in Albert St near the “crossing” and Normanby St resident Paul Jagoe disagree.
Mr Elliott said he and his wife had pushed for a “proper pedestrian crossing”, marked and signed for and traffic to stop to let people cross the road.
Normanby St resident Paul Jagoe has the same complaints about both of the kerb outstands.
Mr Jagoe fears somebody will be injured or killed trying to cross the roads.
“There are no zebra crossings marked or stop signs”.
Baw Baw shire has again shown that it is totally out of step with the elderly and infirm, he said.
Mr Elliott said the work would not make it easier or safer to cross busy Albert St while pedestrians did not have right of way.
The speed limit also needs to drop from 60 kmh to at least 50, he said.