Frustration builds over crossing

AGED care residents have asked for a ‘please explain’ from Moorabool Shire Council, as their wait for a pedestrian crossing along a busy road nears the twelve-year mark.

Providence Aged Care residents have been calling for a crossing across Griffith Street, which is often host to both industrial and school traffic, since 2012.

In 2019, a petition was presented at a Council meeting, and a protest was also held outside Providence Village, with the ultimate goal of the protesters being the establishment of a lighted pedestrian crossing out the front of the village.

And while improvements have been made on the street, including a bus stop and shelter built last year, the street still lacks the pedestrian crossing that Providence residents argue is essential for their safety.

The 2019 petition organiser and Providence resident, Sylvia Merry, recently got in touch with the Moorabool News, expressing her frustration that the crossing was still not in place.

“It’s a never-ending story about our pedestrian crossing that’s coming when Griffith Street gets widened, but in the meantime, we were told a pedestrian refuge would be erected in Griffith Street to help residents cross the road and use the newly erected bus stop,” Ms Merry said.

“But like the indoor swimming pool it’s drawn up on paper, stuck in a drawer somewhere.”

Moorabool Shire Council CEO Derek Madden said a municipal review didn’t recommend a pedestrian refuge, and a pedestrian crossing was still in the works.

“Council completed works in early 2023 that included a new bus stop, shelter, hardstand and pedestrian connection at this location,” Mr Madden said,

“A refuge wasn’t installed following review of the design and overall road safety considerations.

“Council is still planning for an upgrade of Griffith St that will include a formalised pedestrian crossing point at this location.”