COUNCIL PUSHES FOR PEDESTRIAN CROSSING AT NEW SKATE AND SCOOTER PARK
City of Ryde Mayor, Clr Jerome Laxale, has called on the NSW Government to intervene and approve a marked pedestrian crossing on Constitution Road West following the completion of the new Meadowbank Park skate, scooter and play space facility.
Under a motion put forward by Clr Roy Maggio in August 2018, Council resolved to inve stigate upgrading the existing traffic refuge island on Constitution Road West (near Federal Avenue).
Meadowbank, to a marked pedestrian crossing once the skate, scooter and play facility was completed.
Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) will not approve th e crossing as the current pedestrian counts do not reach the level stipulated und er the RMS' s approval guidelines. H owever, Clr Laxale has written to the NSW Transport and Roads Minister Andrew Constance asking him to overrule the need for the RMS criteria and provide a new pedestrian crossing at the location on Constitution Road West.
"There is strong community support for a marked pedestrian crossing to be installed on Constitution Road West as we have already seen a large increase in the amount of foot traffic in the area following the successful completion of the new s kate, scooter and play facility," Clr Laxale said.
"Council staff have advised that the existing pedestrian refuge could eas ily be converted to a marked pedestrian crossing without the loss of on -street parking so I call on Mr Constance to use his authority as Transport a nd Roads Min ister to intervene and ensure residents have the safest possible access to thi s important commun ity facility."
Clr Laxale added that without the intervention of Mr Constance, the process to obtain the necessary approvals for a pedestrian crossing would likely take months.
"Council delivered the Meadowbank Park skate, scooter and play space facilit y as part of our commitment to provide more outdoor recreational spaces to the community. It is only right that all steps are taken to ensure safe access for all the people that use this new facility," he said.
