Hospital crossing call rejected

Gosford Council has rejected a request to replace an existing pedestrian refuge in Ocean Beach Rd near Woy Woy Hospital with a marked pedestrian crossing.

According to a council staff report, Member for Robertson Ms Belinda Neal forwarded a request from a local resident for pedestrian activated traffic signals or a pedestrian crossing.

"The resident states that the current pedestrian refuge does not accommodate the safety of residents who have to cross the road to the hospital as traffic will not slow down," the report stated.

"This matter was previously raised at the local traffic committee in 2000 and 2008."

Previous recommendations found that no action was needed after a traffic survey was undertaken as well as an investigation for ways to improve the existing refuge.

"The requirements for pedestrian facilities in Ocean Beach Rd, including the need for pedestrian traffic signals, were investigated as part of the Ocean Beach Rd Traffic Management Study developed in consultation with all community stakeholders," the report stated.

"The (study) did not identify the need for traffic signals or a pedestrian crossing at this location."

The report stated that more recently the committee resolved to have another look "on the basis of current pedestrian and traffic movements".

"The provision of kerb blisters to the existing refuge was to be examined if the warrant is not met for a pedestrian crossing.

"Pedestrian and vehicle surveys were carried out on April 22.

"The count data shows total five pedestrians using the refuge during morning peak from 11am to 12pm including one aged and four adults; and total 16 pedestrians using the refuge during afternoon peak from 3pm to 4pm including 11 children and five adults.

"This result indicates that there is insufficient pedestrian activity at this location to warrant a marked pedestrian crossing.

"However, the Traffic Management Study has proposed the relocation of the existing pedestrian refuge near Woy Woy Hospital further south closer to the hospital access, with improvement in the size of the refuge islands from one metre to two metres width.

"This recommendation is not currently funded.

"The provision of kerb blisters to the existing refuge cannot be accommodated due to the on-road cycleway along Ocean Beach Rd."

Council agenda TR.10.32, 6 Jul 2010