Call for crossings, as $2M main street upgrade begins

The upgrade will include repatching of failed pavement sections along Boorowa, Main and Zouch streets; resurfacing of the road; and new, wider concrete refuge islands on Boorowa Street between Main and Zouch streets.

While council says the works will increase pedestrian safety and reduce pavement maintenance costs, some locals are upset the upgrade does not include re-establishing pedestrian crossings. 

One of these residents is Robyn Bailey, who is calling for the community to campaign for the crossings. 

She said she was surprised to hear mayor John Walker say pedestrian crossings would not be included in the planned upgrades. 

“I don’t want my dollars spent there if they don’t have a crossing,” she said.

“We need to start a petition, I think it’s ridiculous.”

She said she approached council about the reason for the lack of crossings, but had been given no concrete answer.

“It’s been a sore point for locals for ages, but they obviously don’t think it warrants attention,” she said. 

“I’ve got bad arthritis and if my leg gave way... I think some of the cars would run you over rather than slow down.

“Young will be famous for not having one (pedestrian crossing) when all the other towns do.”

Council’s director of operations Dirk Wymer said council was pursuing a number of options to increase pedestrian safety on the main street. 

“There are road safety benefits and drawbacks to both pedestrian crossings and pedestrian refuges,” he said.

“This council is pursuing a vision of an accessible and pedestrian-friendly main street with objectives including protected road crossing points for the less mobile and appropriate low traffic speeds for the precinct.”

He was unable to say why the crossings were taken away almost 10 years ago. 

Mr Wymer said it should be business as usual for locals during the upgrade period, with only minor disruptions.

That will include traffic diversions during the three week resurfacing period in the lead-up to Easter 

“The parking at your favourite restaurant may be adversely affected for a night but don’t change your plans as it will only be a short walk,” he said. 

“You will be able to pick up your morning papers, enjoy a coffee and park in your normal spaces while you visit the shops.

The works will coincide with the Lambing Flat Chinese Festival, which has left some business owners concerned they won’t be able to fully capitalise on the period. 

 “While it would have been preferable to have the works completed prior to the Lambing Flat Festival it has not been possible to coordinate the works this way,” Mr Wymer said.

“Council can’t complete the pre-project planning prior to the festival and needs to take advantage of the warmer weather prior to the Easter break. The impact of the works on the Lambing Flat Festival weekend will be minimal.”