The RMS proposed a raised median in Lords Place, between Summer Street and Kite Street, to combat illegal U-turns out of parking spaces and the potential for collisions between cars and pedestrians.

However, councillors believed it would negatively affect business and did not support a funding submission, or consultation on a proposal to remove parking space line marking.

Councillor Jeff Whitton said medians like the one in Anson Street should not be replicated.

“People avoid Anson Street like the plague and by putting in a median strip, we’ll kill the businesses,” he said.

Councillor Glenn Taylor said it was one of the busiest blocks in Orange. 

“It’s going to create the potential for more accidents because you are narrowing [the roadway],” he said.

However, a recommendation to investigate removing parking space line marking along Lords Place received a mixed response.

Councillor Ron Gander said motorists were not parking correctly, despite the lines.

“It’s pretty tough if one person with a rather large vehicle parks in a poor manner and everyone else gets booked,” he said.

However, Cr Taylor, who pushed to have the lines introduced, said they were needed because parking was at a premium.

Clare Smith from Need a Nerd said she had never witnessed any collisions or near misses and a raised median would cause more problems.

“We get enough customers saying it’s hard to find a park,” she said.

“People jump on spots and if you can’t do a U-turn, you’re going to miss out.”

However, she said there was merit in removing the parking lines.

“A lot of Orange drivers don’t know how to park so they’re more of a hindrance than a help,” she said.

“If the person next to you doesn’t park right, you can’t park right.”

danielle.cetinski@fairfaxmedia.com.au