A Laurieton resident is calling for a pedestrian crossing to be implemented at Bold Street to help residents cross the road to attend The Good Shepherd Medical Centre.
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Doug Siddons lives close to the medical centre on Bold Street and he said he would like something done before someone is seriously injured or killed.
“It’s an issue of public safety and as a resident I believe something has to be done for the community,” he said.
Mr Siddons said he has witnessed a few ‘close calls’ where people have nearly been hit by vehicles which turn off Ocean Drive into Bold Street.
“They come round the corner at speed so a lot of the time they wouldn’t have time to brake to avoid a collision with a pedestrian,” he said.
Mr Siddons said a lot of the patients who park their vehicles across the road from the medical centre have mobility issues and they use wheelchairs, walking sticks, gophers and frames.
“This tends to make them slower to cross the road which is a problem considering that the road itself is so wide,” he said.
Mr Siddons said he would also like side line markings to be completed on Bold Street for the safety of motorists and others.
The Local Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams made representations to Port Macquarie-Hastings Council on behalf of Mr Siddons’ request to improve road safety.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Transport and Stormwater Network group manager Duncan Clarke said any form of pedestrian crossing at this location is not considered appropriate at this point in time.
“The Good Shepherd Medical Centre is located opposite a large densely treed block of land on Bold Street, with the majority of patients either parking or walking along the side of the road that the centre is located,” he said.
“Due to this there is limited demand for pedestrians to cross Bold Street to access the Good Shepherd Medical Centre.”
The Good Shepherd Medical Centre practice manager Nancy Meena said she recommends a pedestrian crossing would be positive for the community and it would be good if council could reconsider at some stage in the future.
Nancy said a crossing would assist elderly people to cross the wide road safely at Bold Street to attend the centre.