“I formally move that Council write to Roads and Maritime Services asking for consideration of a pedestrian crossing at or near the corner of Lawrence Hargrave Drive and Henley Road, Thirroul.”
A Notice of Motion was last night submitted by Ward One Councillor Leigh Colacino, with Councillor Jennelle Rimmer amending the motion to specifically ask for a meeting on-site.
The motion was accepted by all Councillors.
Lawrence Hargrave Drive comes under the control of the State Government therefore it’s the RMS that has to approve and build the crossing.
Ward One Councillor Mithra Cox is delighted with the outcome. “I think there is a strong appetite amongst all of us to work together to get a good outcome on this,” she says. “We will now wait for to staff to draft that letter and hopefully organise a date.”
The local residents action group is delighted with the outcome but has asked all councillors to include the section of Lawrence Hargrave Drive opposite South Sailor and The Esplanade in that meeting so the RMS can consider both sites at the same time.
Spokesperson Erin O’Dwyer says she’s thrilled by the momentum and support from our local councillors.
“I’d really urge the local community to get onboard, by writing to Council, local State members Gareth Ward and Ryan Park and the RMS,” she says. “Everyone agrees that some kind of crossing is urgently required there, especially before the peak summer season.
“There are lots of options being discussed but a pedestrian island is the best alternative in my opinion – cheap and quick to install and it won’t effect traffic flow.
“A better location may be just north of Henley Rd. The RMS’s response that this area is not dangerous because there have been no reported accidents is ridiculous.
“Anyone who lives nearby sees near-misses between pedestrians, cars, bikes and children everyday. I’d suggest the concrete ‘blisters’ on the curbside only make crossing more dangerous and should be removed.
“We also need to consider a second crossing at The Esplanade, opposite Thirroul Beach Motel, South Sailor and Jose Jones.
“New accomodation planned for the surf school at that location will only make that section of LHD more congested.
“This is not an issue which is going to go away with the reopening of Bulli Pass. It’s really about the confluence of local car and foot traffic plus new takeaway businesses, beach access, bus stops and an increase in visitor traffic coming south into Thirroul from the Seacliff Bridge.”
