Railing Over Pedestrian Safety

THE Thoroughbred Hotel has just celebrated its first birthday since the major refurbishment, but the footpath out the front has drawn attention for the wrong reasons.

For almost a year the Council have left makeshift yellow string as an attempt to protect pedestrians and patrons on a corner that has been the focus of safety studies and accidents.

Steven McDonald, general manager for Upper Hunter Shire Council said he has prioritised the matter.

“There’ll be a railing going up restricting access down to the highway but you’ll still be able to come across the road from Kingdon Street and we’ll be getting that in place as soon as we can,” said Mr McDonald.

“The problem we have there is trucks run over the curb, we’ve reinstated it a couple of times, so at the moment we are trying to restrict any access along there where possible to keep pedestrians in a safer environment,” he said.

In 2016 the Roads and Maritime Services conducted a safety study and survey at the intersection of Kingdon Street and the highway.

The RMS has said it has consulted with the Council on options to improve pedestrian safety and proposed a pedestrian refuge with concrete kerb islands on Kelly Street, south of Kingdon Street, to provide a safe place for people to cross the road.

The RMS will apply for funding for the safety improvements in the 2019/20 budget.

See related stories:

• Kingdon Street Safety Concerns. – February 23, 2016.
• Pedestrian Death Waiting to Happen – April 14, 2016.
• Intersection Survey Concerns – May 2, 2016.