A busy pedestrian crossing in Epping, which has long put the safety of residents at risk, could finally be improved.
The raised crossing on Rawson Street near the car park, one of the most heavily used crossings in the Parramatta Local Government Area (LGA), is continuing to put both pedestrians and drivers on edge.
Calling it a critical issue, Epping Club CEO Peter Saez said the current crossing affects the safety and wellbeing of the residents.
“The current situation of the zebra crossing in this location has become a hotspot for substantial risks and contributes significantly to frustrating traffic congestion,” he said.
“This situation poses a direct threat to the safety of pedestrians and exacerbates the challenges faced by motorists navigating through the area.”
Already a busy area for vehicles and people crossing, it’s likely pedestrian and traffic volumes will increase even more due to future development near the crossing.
This potential increase of traffic has led to the local community calling on the City of Parramatta to convert the crossing to pedestrian signals.
“It is my sincere belief that the installation of pedestrian lights is a critical step towards mitigating these issues and fostering safer, more efficient environment for everyone,” Saez added.
Speaking at the latest Council meeting, Councillor Cameron Maclean moved a motion in favour of installing pedestrian signals at the busy crossing
“The issue is quite simple, it’s that we have a crossing which has a constant dribble of pedestrians crossing all day long and we have one of the busiest thoroughfares in Epping. We have continual pedestrian traffic and road traffic trying to compete with one another,” he said.
“Obviously drivers give way to pedestrians, so the consequent outcome is we have a continual backlog of motor vehicles stretching right up Rawson.”
Although he noted it wasn’t a new issue, Maclean said putting in pedestrian signals is a “necessary first step” in finally doing something about the pedestrian and traffic gridlock on Rawson Street.
“[The crossing] chokes up the centre of Epping,” he added.
“More often than not we’re seeing very near misses as people scurry out onto the crossing, and we’ve heard the screech of brakes.”
With the motion garnering the support of the Chamber, a report will now be prepared for the Traffic Engineering Advisory Group and Council on the possibility of converting the crossing to pedestrian signals.
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.