General News
23 August, 2024
Changes to wombat crossing this weekend, Firebrace and McLachlan Street
Pedestrian crossings at Firebrace, McLachlan streets in focus.
In response to community feedback, Horsham Rural City Council will reconfigure the pedestrian crossings at the Firebrace and McLachlan streets roundabout, aiming to enhance accessibility and pedestrian safety while minimizing disruption to local traffic and businesses.
The community was advised of this several weeks ago after a period of community feedback following the initial installation.
"The raised 'wombat' crossings will be moved away from the pedestrian walkway and be replaced with painted lines, providing a road-level surface better suited for people with mobility constraints," a council spokesperson said.
When the planned work was announced in June council spokesperson said, "These installations, known as 'wombat crossings,' were part of a project to improve the city's walkability."
However, the council received criticism for the new crossings throughout the CAD, particularly the Firebrace crossing.
Some business owners were upset about the loss of parking spaces to accommodate the crossings but some community members were pleased to see a safer space for pedestrians to walk between the shopping areas on Firebrace Street.
The council's primary goal in designing these new crossings was to enhance pedestrian safety and increase foot traffic throughout the CAD.
They were specifically designed to be visible and convenient for pedestrians, to slow down traffic, and to create a safer environment for everyone.
At a pedestrian crossing, drivers must give way to any pedestrian on or about to step on the crossing and not overtake another vehicle that has stopped at the crossing.
Drivers must wait until the pedestrian crossing is clear before crossing it.
Council has acted on community feedback from individuals and groups about the raised wombat crossings, which will be one of the main changes this weekend.
Work on Saturday, August 24, and Sunday 25, has been planned to limit disruption to traffic and shoppers.