RIGHT OF WAY: Flashing lights could be an option to solve ongoing safety concerns at the Anson Street pedestrian crossing between Orange City Centre and Woolworths. Photo: CLARE COLLEY 0619ccanson
THE Anson Street pedestrian crossing between Orange City Centre and Woolworths is an accident waiting to happen, according to an Orange councillor who has called for council staff to look at new solutions to solve the ongoing issues on the busy street.
Cr Glenn Taylor has suggested a set of flashing lights could solve the problem.
“It seems cluttered and very confusing for drivers to get clear sight of where pedestrians are,” he said.
“There are some pedestrians who will just walk out.
“I saw a lady with a pram walk straight out in front of a car and the car struggled to stop.”
Cr Taylor said a “mechanical resolution” to the problem, such as flashing pedestrian-style warning lights, would mean cars and pedestrians know when they had right of way.
“There’s fault at both sides,” he said.
“I’m frightened someone will be hit.”
“I will ask council staff to explore what sort of options there are.”
Cr Chris Gryllis supported the push for lights, saying he stood by his earlier recommendation to employ a traffic controller at the crossing during busy times, especially around Christmas.
“I don’t feel comfortable with the current arrangement,” he said.
He also suggested council could abolish the pedestrian crossing similar to streets in Bathurst where pedestrians give way to vehicles.
“It works beautifully,” he said.
“We could adopt the same thing here.”
Cr Taylor said a proposal to close the street and create a mall was “always on the cards” but would require “a lot of public consultation”.
“We have to be mindful that it’s one of the main cab ranks,” he said.
While he admitted changed conditions may be difficult to enforce, Cr Taylor said something needed to be done to improve safety.
“People will disobey signals all the time,” he said.
clare.colley@ruralpress.com