A NEW traffic light-controlled pedestrian crossing to be installed on The Grand Parade at Ramsgate will improve safety for residents, but will also slow the bayside run for motorists at times.
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The crossing will be installed south of Emmaline Street, halfway between existing traffic lights at Ramsgate Road and Barton Street, Monterey.
It will be part of a $500,000 project, funded by the state government, which will include moving bus stops on both sides of the road and the closure of one Cook Park car park entrance opposite Emmaline Street.
Rockdale MP John Flowers said work would be carried out over the next four months, with Rockdale Council undertaking the first stage before Roads and Maritime Services installed the crossing.
Electronic traffic signs would provide information about changed conditions.
Mr Flowers said RMS invited community feedback last year, with the majority of 47 submissions in favour.
He said the new lights would be controlled by the pedestrians.
Traffic flow would be affected, but the signals would be co-ordinated with those at Ramsgate Road and Barton Street, he said.
The safety improvement has been a long time coming.
Former Rockdale MP Frank Sartor put the case to the then Roads and Traffic Authority back in 2007.
Mr Sartor also sought a similar crossing at Monterey, midway between Barton Street and President Avenue.
EASIER ACCESS
Donna and Howard O’Brien are among Ramsgate residents who are delighted they will soon be able to access the beach more easily and safely.
They cross The Grand Parade near Emmaline Street to walk their dogs Sadie and Fred along the beachfront, often with Peter Benedet, who lives at Kyeemagh.
‘‘Sometimes it is impossible to cross here, and it’s a long walk to where you can do so in safety,’’ Ms O’Brien said.
Mr O’Brien said the crossing would be greatly appreciated by people who caught the bus home and usually had to wait a long time for a break in the traffic.
Hollywood Street resident Violeta Andonovski said the crossing would be ‘‘excellent’’.
‘‘We won’t have to risk our lives any more,’’ she said.
Do you support the new crossing at Ramsgate?
