A growing number of residents in Laurieton would like the proposed new pedestrian crossing on Bold Street moved from the entrance of the Coles carpark to the exit.
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Residents cite pedestrian safety and accessibility issues to the chemist opposite Coles as their main motivation for wanting the crossing moved a few metres.
Harold Hunt is leading the charge and said the move would greatly benefit the whole community if it went ahead.
"The sad truth is that in Camden Haven very few people will use the pedestrian crossing if they have to walk any distance to it," Mr Hunt said.
"The current proposed location is totally inappropriate and if it is not well located it is unlikely to be used.
"Most pedestrian traffic across Bold Street between Seymour Street and Tunis Street is between the northern exit from Coles and the chemist on the eastern side of Bold Street.
"Therefore the most appropriate place to locate a pedestrian crossing is in this vicinity.
"If you sit across from Coles on any given day you see so many people chancing the traffic to run across the road and that will continue to happen unless the proposed pedestrian crossing was moved further towards Tunis Street."
Naomi Dowse-Collyer said putting the pedestrian crossing closer to Seymour Street would be "just ridiculous" and that "it would not solve the safety problem of pedestrians crossing between Coles and the chemist".
Mike Ipsen also said the need for people to cross between Coles and the chemist outweighed the need for people to cross further down.
"Lots of people in the Camden Haven have accessibility issues and currently it is unsafe to cross the road to the chemist," Mr Ipsen said.
"When people come into town the main thing they need is groceries from Coles and medication from the chemist so that is the most reasonable place for the crossing.
"In winter, or when we have wet weather, it is even more hazardous to cross there."
Funding for the pedestrian crossing was announced by Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams in March, 2018 and at the time she said the $347,000 would include a mid-block zebra pedestrian crossing along with kerb extensions and additional street lights, modification of parking layout, taxi stand, bus stop and loading zones.
She also said there would also be improvements to the access of the Coles car park from Bold Street, wider footpaths including outdoor dining pods and landscaped areas to provide for garden beds and trees.
In November 2018, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council director Jeffery Sharp said council was committed to upgrading Bold Street in Laurieton with works to improve pedestrian safety and beautify the streetscape.
"The location for the new Bold Street pedestrian crossing was selected to ensure the safety of pedestrians while moving about the main street, and in consideration of the overarching main street upgrades that also include the installation of kerb extensions, street lighting, parking modifications, wider footpaths and landscaped areas," Mr Sharp said.
"Council has engaged with local businesses, nearby residents and the local traffic committee on the pedestrian crossing location and is committed to starting construction in June 2019.
"Council has no plans to change the crossing location at this time, and we look forward to providing a more accessible and attractive Bold Street for visitors and the local community in the near future."
