Pedestrian access along one of Port Macquarie’s busiest arterial roads –Gordon Street – is the focus of an action plan currently being developed by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council.
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For many it can’t come soon enough, after an 87-year-old was injured after being hit by a car on Gordon Street, early on March 19.
The plan is currently under development and specifically looks at how to maximise pedestrian accessibility on Gordon, Horton, Short and Hayward Streets.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council group manager for the transport and stormwater network, Duncan Clarke, said council will conduct community consultation on the plan.
“Council is investigating pedestrian safety improvements to the Port Macquarie CBD road network,” Mr Clarke said.
“Identified locations being investigated for improvement include Gordon Street, Horton Street, Short Street and Hayward Street.
“In the coming months the community will be invited to have their say and provide feedback on a number of plans aimed at improving pedestrian safety in these areas.
“As part of recommendations within council’s Pedestrian and Mobility Action Plan (PAMP) and the Port Macquarie Town Centre Masterplan, a detailed design for the conversion of the Gordon Street-Horton Street intersection to traffic signals is currently being developed.
“Once completed, the detailed designs will allow council to investigate a range of funding opportunities to allow for construction.”
Tourist Paul Smith said better pedestrian access near the Horton Street and Hollingworth Street section of Gordon Street would be a good idea.
“It is pretty dangerous to try and cross here, and not being from here you just sort of have to run across the road and hope for the best,” Mr Smith said.
The PAMP specifically states the importance of “good quality road crossings” citing “pedestrians are vulnerable road users and in the event of a crash, unlike vehicle occupants, have little or no protection to shield them from the force of the crash.”
It also refers to Gordon Street specifically saying “it is a major barrier to pedestrian movement and additional or safer crossings are required at a number of locations”.
