Update
Plans to improve pedestrian safety on the western side of Sutherland train station have been approved.
Sutherland Shire Council, at its meeting on Monday, July 15, endorsed the option recommended by staff and the work is scheduled to be carried out in the second half of 2019-20.
Earlier
Many rail commuters are being forced to take unnecessary risks crossing roads around car parks at Sutherland station, council traffic officers say.
As a result, plans have been drawn up for new pedestrian crossings and an additional path on the north-west side of the station.
The plans, which will be considered by Sutherland Shire Council at its meeting on Monday, include:
- New pedestrian crossings of East Parade and the north-western ramp.
- A new path running half way up the eastern side of the ramp, leading to a pedestrian crossing to the existing path.
- Fencing to prevent pedestrians taking other short cuts.
- An investigation of pedestrian facilities in Robertson Lane, adjacent to the newer commuter car park.
The measures were preferred ahead of two other options - new traffic lights or closing the north-western ramp to pedestrian traffic and forcing people to use the south-western ramp.
A report to the council's traffic committee said pedestrian volumes at the intersection of East Parade and the north- western ramp had increased significantly following the opening of the Robertson Street commuter car park.
"Site observations indicate that due to the current volume of traffic and lack of pedestrian crossing facilities that many pedestrians are required to take unnecessary risks in order to cross these roads," the report said.
"This creates unsafe traffic conditions for all road users.
"Traffic and pedestrian counts show that Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) warrants for the provision of a pedestrian crossing would be met in both East Parade and the north-western ramp."
The report said 303 pedestrians crossed East Parade between 6.30am and 7.30am on a typical weekday.
There were 232 crossings between 3.30pm and 4.30pm and 232 from 5.30pm to 6.30pm.
The report said the recommended measures would "significantly improve the safety and accessibility of pedestrians travelling to and from the station".
"It supports existing pedestrian desire lines and is less likely to attract undesirable pedestrian movements than the option of closing the north-western ramp to pedestrian traffic."
