Meeting at West St

Gosford Council's traffic committee has resolved to hold a site meeting with Member for Peats Ms Marie Andrews over the removal of a raised pedestrian crossing at near Flemings in West St, Umina.

Representatives of Council's road safety and traffic unit and its flooding and drainage section will attend the meeting

In a report to council, the traffic committee reported it considered removing the crossing in February this year to help stop flooding to businesses in West St.

The committee will now review the plan following the letter from Ms Andrews asking that the Traffic Committee re-examine its decision as the crossing was helpful to people who were confined to wheelchairs or motorised scooters.

Community activist Mr Ed James said that his photographs and community studies of rainfall showed flooding was more likely to have been caused by council's own lack of drain cleaning.

"This is a particularly important amenity to improve the safety of a growing population of frail and infirm, with many visually impaired or wheelchair-bound who enjoy the central location near fruit market, post office and banks and well away from the busy roundabout," he said.

"I would expect those concerned residents who approached Ms Andrews would be invited to a site visit prior to any rash actions.

"The crossing is surrounded by five substantial drains serving an area of less than 2000 square meters and the crossing itself amounts to an island of safety.

"It is poor council maintenance of its lane way that contributes to flooding problems," he said.

He said a Council officer advised him that staff will be recommending the crossing remain raised but with an altered design and in the same location.

A report will be presented to the traffic committee on the outcome of the meeting later in the year.

Alison Branley, July 8