ROADS and Maritime Services is moving to stop pedestrians, including mothers with children, darting across a busy section of the Princes Highway at Kogarah.
However, the proposal is already under fire for not going far enough.
Rockdale MP John Flowers said it was planned to install an 80-metre long safety fence on the elevated median strip of the highway from Regent Street to 40 metres south of French Street.
Kogarah Public School backs on to the highway at this point, and there is an adjacent childcare centre.
Mr Flowers said Roads and Maritime Services was proposing the action because five pedestrian "crashes" had occurred on that section of the highway in the five years to June 2012.
Robert Orr, the sales manager for Sellpoint Car Sales, on the corner of the highway and French Street, welcomed the move, but said the fence should continue a further 250 metres to President Avenue.
"The problem extends right along here, and is as bad, if not worse, towards President Avenue," he said.
"If the fence stops 40 metres south of French Street, there will still be a long unfenced section.
"There is high-density residential around us [the eastern side of the highway] and, every day, you would have 200-300 people crossing the highway. They are going to and from schools, Kogarah centre and railway station.
"I often see mums with little ones, who don't go to the traffic lights. Most parents do the right thing, but you only need one who doesn't and you could have a tragedy.
"Some people think they have a clear crossing when traffic stops on the highway at the Regent Street lights, but they forget vehicles are coming in from the side."
Do you think this is a good planor could it be improved?
The proposal is open to community comment up until Friday, September 12. Write to: Communications & Stakeholder Engagement, Leighton Boral Amey JV, PO Box 838, Rockdale, NSW 2216 or nswenquiries@lbajv.com.au
