Refuge project abandoned

Gosford Council has decided not to proceed with the construction of a pedestrian refuge in Wellington St, Umina.

It will return the funds set aside for the project to the Traffic Facilities Program.

Council resolved to abandon the project after a recommendation by the Traffic Committee at its meeting of Monday, August 1.

The initial recommendation was adopted at a Council meeting in July 2003.

The Committee report stated that the refuge was no longer necessary following the construction of the roundabout at the intersection on Wellington St and Ocean Beach Rd.

The roundabout improved pedestrian access through the construction of additional footpath and pedestrian ramps.

The proposed location of the pedestrian refuge was situated between the entry and exit points to the Coles carpark and would have resulted in the loss of valuable on-street parking.

Council's Traffic Committee report said: "the newly installed footpath and pedestrian ramps in Wellington St as part of the roundabout construction provide pedestrian safety which was not available when the Traffic Committee considered the matter in 2003."

"Proceeding with the installation of the pedestrian refuge now appears unwarranted."

The funding, which had been allocated to the project in the 2010-11 Traffic Facilities Program, can now be transferred to another project.

Gosford Council Agenda TR.11.52, 6 Sep 2011