Cross over crossings

By Melissa Grant
MEMBERS of the Pakenham Business Group are calling for the council to review its placement of pedestrian crossings in the town’s Main Street.
They say crossings installed last September are too close to roundabouts, causing confusion for motorists and pedestrians.
The call comes as the council looks at the possibility of transforming Main Street into a pedestrian mall.
PBG president Sue Day said pedestrians and motorists had complained about the crossings, particularly during the Christmas trade period.
“The traffic banks up as drivers stop for pedestrians,” she said. “The crossings are too close to the roundabout.”
Ms Day said the crossings were a “great initiative to stop people jaywalking” but the council needed to assess their effectiveness.
PBG member Peter Scollo said drivers were confused about right of way.
“Now they’ve painted the zebra crossing it’s their (pedestrians’) right to come out unless you have a sign getting pedestrians to give way to vehicles,” he said.
“Vehicles expect the roundabout to be clear and when they get there it suddenly halts.”
Fellow PBG member Michelle Tones said the problem could be solved by having two crossing points closer to the centre of Main Street, rather than the existing three.
Cardinia Shire Council’s manager of engineering services, Brad Hurren, said the crossings were installed after a detailed traffic study and VicRoads approval.
“The new crossings eliminate confusion and will make it easier and safer for people, particularly elderly people,” he said.
He the council had received positive feedback from pedestrians, business people and motorists.
Leading Senior Constable Anthony Templar, of Cardinia’s Traffic Management Unit, said police had no major issues with the movement of traffic in Main Street.