Locals’ “fear” for Belrose pedestrians

Numerous locals have voiced concerns to Northern Beaches Council over the lack of pedestrian crossing facilities at Pringle Avenue in Belrose.

They are calling on Council to recommend Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) conduct a new site analysis of the area with the hope of a pedestrian crossing being installed to the northwest of the roundabout intersecting Pringle Avenue and Glen Street.

According to Council, the possibility of a crossing in the area was reviewed in 2008 and in 2015 by RMS’ Transport Network team and it was determined the spot had insufficient pedestrian numbers.

However, residents say that, since the update of Glenrose shops and with the newly revealed upgrades to Lionel Watts Reserve, foot traffic in the area has increased substantially.

Local resident Natasha Ward says she is forced to cross the busy street every day to take her children to school at nearby Wakehurst Public.

“One day when my kids are old enough, I’d love for them to be able to walk to school by themselves, but it’s just the fear,” she tells Peninsula Living.

“You sort of think that, if a lot of people are saying something needs to be done, Council would do something.”

In response to the community’s concerns, Council is currently developing a design to upgrade the roundabout at the Pringle Avenue/Glen Street intersection with pedestrian refuge islands on all approaches.

However, locals say this will not improve pedestrian safety.

Peninsula local Danielle Gulliford, whose son, 17-year-old Benjamin, is vision impaired, she says crossing at the roundabout would contradict the advice he has been given on road safety by Guide Dogs Australia.

“Benj is extremely independent, but it would be great if he (and others) could cross Pringle Avenue safely in order to access all the great facilities in the area,” she says.

“I find it concerning that Council recommend people cross at roundabouts. Drivers are usually distracted. It’s confusing for them, and for pedestrians, with so much going on.

“It is quite a well-used area with a fair bit of foot traffic, so it really is a shame.”