Great Lakes Advocate readers have expressed concerns about the lack of pedestrian access and “close calls” for seniors and families trying to get across the busy road to the beach since the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) funded improvements to the intersection were carried out recently. 

The works, contracted out to Great Lakes Council, included the installation of a concrete median island and signage on both sides of West Street at the intersection to reduce the risk of accidents.  In line with this, motorists are now only permitted to turn left from West Street onto Head Street. 

The black spot had seen six accidents, including one fatal crash and three crashes resulting in injuries, in the five years to June 2012.

But the changes resulted in the removal of pedestrian islands on the busy Head Street intersection across to the beach side of West Street, resulting in pedestrians taking chances across the four lane road.   

The RMS has confirmed that the NSW Government will provide $300,000 from the Active Transport Program for the improvements, which will be installed from mid this year. 

Great Lakes Council’s director of engineering Ron Hartley said the loss of pedestrian access had been raised with RMS and the works were expected to be complete within 12 months. In the meantime, he urged people to use other designated crossing areas so they did not get caught out “standing in the middle of the road”. 

“There is a crossing area down the street,” he said.