Crossing time extension call

By Bridget Cook
CASEY Council is calling on VicRoads to review a number of aspects of High Street, Cranbourne, to make it safer for pedestrians.
City of Casey Councillor Amanda Stapledon raised an urgent business item at last week’s council meeting for officers to write to VicRoads seeking a review of the length of time for the pedestrian crossing lights in the street.
She said the idea for the increased length in duration was to allow senior citizens, people with disabilities and mobility issues to cross the full width of the road.
Cr Stapledon also asked that the council include in that letter a request for VicRoads to report back on the Notice of Motion that was raised in 2009 for a reduction in speed limit in High Street, Cranbourne, during shopping hours.
Cr Stapledon said she was notified of the problem by a local elderly woman, who told her that the timing of the pedestrian lights was not long enough for her to cross one set of lights on High Street.
“She has to wait in the middle, and feels this is quite unsafe and unnecessary,” she said.
“This is the view of many people in the community.
“Our residents need to feel safe crossing the main street in Cranbourne.
“It is important that the timing of the pedestrian lights allows for all residents including our senior citizens, people with a disability and mobility issues as well as parents with their toddlers to cross the road safely during one set of lights.”
Cr Stapledon said the council also needed to revisit their request to implement the lowering of the speed limit during shopping hours, and asked for VicRoads to implement this to ensure a safer street.
“Cranbourne High Street needs a bypass,” she said.
“This is a high item on the council’s advocacy program.
“Until this is achieved, we need to lobby for a safer High Street including a reduced speed limit during shopping times and longer pedestrian lights allowing sufficient time for people to cross in one stage.”
The News did not receive a response from VicRoads by the time the newspaper went to print.