CROSSING DANGER
RMS to investigate pedestrian safety at Mitchell Hwy-wheelers Lane roundabout
THE Roads and Maritime Services has agreed to investigate a troublesome area near Orana Mall where pedestrian safety has caused concern for local residents.
“Pedestrian safety and access is of the highest priority for Transport for NSW, which is willing to meet with the residents to discuss their concerns about pedestrian access,” a spokesperson told Dubbo Photo News.
Retirees Colin and Anne Johnston felt compelled to write to Dubbo Regional Council to express their concerns about road safety near their new home after moving to Dubbo from Burrabadine.
“We moved here two months ago from a small property 10km west of Dubbo,” Mr Johnston explained.
They now live at Kimberly Grove, off Beddoes Ave, which is in close proximity to both Orana Mall and Western Plains Medical Centre. Their concern lies in the danger of crossing the Mitchell Highway and Wheelers Lane.
Elderly residents, families with young children and people with disability and low mobility all use the area.
“There are 20 villas and 15 people over 60 in this village. I have noticed older people crossing in Wheelers Lane,” Mr Johnston said.
“There has been a huge build-up of housing south of Orana Mall. All of these people would choose to use a car rather than walk because it’s safer. A few of our neighbours can’t drive and they are concerned.”
There are currently centre pedestrian refuges near the intersection of the Mitchell Highway and Wheelers Lane, which allow pedestrians to cross the roadway in two stages and check traffic travelling separately in each direction.
Additional refuges are located in Wheelers Lane north of the Mitchell Highway and at the Beddoes Avenue intersection.
However, Mrs Johnston said that at busy times, it can be extremely difficult to cross the road safely. “There’s a lot of traffic at times, during peak hours.
“At certain times of the day, it’s reasonable to get across, at other times, it’s not.”
Mr Johnston is worried that the present roadway is an accident waiting to happen.
“I think it could become an issue for someone who can’t go very fast. I don’t know how practical it is on the main highway from Sydney to Perth but people not from Dubbo wouldn’t realise to slow down. There needs to be some kind of permanent slowing down for the roundabout like a safety zone or a pedestrian crossing.
“There are people living on the north-western side of the roundabout who might use it as well.”
Mr Johnston said that the built-up area means there is more vehicle traffic.
“It would be good to investigate, that’s the only way we find out. If they had a safer way to cross, more people would use it.
“Transport for NSW will carry out a preliminary speed zone review on Wheelers Lane and the Mitchell Highway near the roundabout to determine if changes are required to improve pedestrian safety,” the spokesperson said.
Dubbo Regional Council was contacted by Dubbo
Photo News for comment.