A NEAR-miss involving a woman with a pram prompted Cr Jeff Whitton to ask for more visible signage warning of changed traffic conditions at the two new pedestrian crossings in the central business district.
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Cr Whitton said he had received two phone calls from residents claiming they were almost hit by cars on the crossing linking the Civic Centre to Roberston Park.
Both incidents were on Monday.
"One was from a lady with a pram, she said the side of the car actually hit the pram while she was on the crossing," Cr Whtton said.
"And then the driver got out and abused her. He clearly wasn't aware of the changed conditions."
One was from a lady with a pram, she said the side of the car actually hit the pram and then the driver got out and abused her
- Jeff Whitton
He said the woman was using the crossing mid-afternoon on her way to the library and was shaken by the incident.
Temporary signs warning drivers of the changed conditions have been placed in Byng Street on either side of the Byng Street crossing and another in McNamara lane while Cr Whitton said zigzag warning lines are yet to be painted either side of the crossings.
There is also temporary lighting installed.
However Cr Whitton said he would ask for more visible signage, adding perhaps flashing lights were an option.
The works are part of Orange City Council's FutureCity project to make the central business district more pedestrian-friendly, as well as providing better connections for people walking from Summer Street to Robertson Park and the Civic Centre.
This includes wider median strips in Byng Street and Lords Place and reducing the roundabout at that intersection into a single lane roundabout, work which is almost complete.
The work follows extensive revamping of McNamara Street which includes festoon lighting, stores in renovated shipping containers, portable booth seating and murals on a number of walls.
Traffic blisters have also been installed at the Kite Street intersection with McNamara Street, to increase safety for vehicles and pedestrians.
Large tree crates, or 'soil cell pits' have also been installed for about a dozen trees in the area. These crates are installed underground and control the growth of the tree roots to prevent damage to footpaths and the road.
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