At Tuesday night’s meeting, councillor Glenn Taylor will move a motion to investigate installing pedestrian traffic lights between Lords Place and McNamara Street, connecting the civic centre with Robertson Park.

Cr Taylor said attempts had been made to establish a full zebra crossing previously, but Roads and Maritime Services staff did not allow them on double-lane roads.

The pedestrian refuge was installed as an interim measure, but with some councillors suggesting visitors to Robertson Park use toilets at the civic centre rather than provide some in the park, Cr Taylor said a formal crossing point was needed.

“You really have to have your wits about you - if you’re mobility impaired or a woman with kids in tow, you’re virtually taking your life into your own hands because there’s no break in the traffic,” he said.

“I’m hoping to get toilets in Robertson Park, but if we don’t, we have a duty of care issue, especially if we are instructing people to cross the road.”

Pedestrian traffic lights are already in use outside Kinross Wolaroi School and Cook Park and Cr Taylor believed the location of the Byng Street crossing would not impede traffic movement significantly.

“It’s a necessary evil,” he said.

“Being at the centre of the block, I don’t think it’s going to create an enormous problem for traffic flow.”

If progress is not made with the Country Women’s Association on the toilet design, Cr Taylor said be would move to have the development application put to the council for a second time in February - it was deferred earlier this month.

danielle.cetinski@fairfaxmedia.com.au