Fed up with trying to dodge speeding motorists as he attempts to cross busy Manning Street near the Forster Tuncurry bridge, resident Mark Zeimer has called on both MidCoast Council and the State government to consider putting in a pedestrian crossing.
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Mr Zeimer has been fighting for a safer crossing option for the southern end of the busy thoroughfare, opposite John Wright Park, for more than three years, but with little response.
He believes it is only a matter of time before a serious incident between a motorist and a pedestrian occurs.
Mr Zeimer became a victim of a near fatality last year when he was clipped by a speeding car, which was momentarily obscured by a blind spot in the road, resulting in four stitches to the head, a broken collarbone, a nasty laceration to his elbow and a stint in Manning Base Hospital.
"These guys came hooning from the bridge, and I tripped trying to avoid them," Mr Zeimer said.
On regular occasions, Mr Zeimer escorts elderly residents, mums with prams and disabled pedestrians to cross what he describes as the Manning Street raceway.
It is not just speeding that needs to be policed but the dangerous/hoon driving.
- Mark Zeimer
Mr Zeimer said many motorists have no care or thought for pedestrians.
The closest pedestrian crossing is approximately 200 metres north, near the Bellevue Hotel.
"A lot of people in my area are on walking sticks and they just want to get across to the park," he said.
Mr Zeimer is proposing a set of flashing lights coming off the bridge - indicating a pedestrian crossing ahead - and a reduction in speed to 40km/h.
"This (speed reduction) would need to be enforced by the police and the RTA.
"There are two high rise and one low rise where I live right near the bridge so there is a significant local population plus tourists."
He also has asked for an increase in police presence in Tuncurry.
"It is not just speeding that needs to be policed but the dangerous/hoon driving."
He said police patrols during the day were a rarity, however acknowledged police were around during the evenings.
"It is when the workers start and finish that the traffic becomes a real problem not enabling crossing of the road."
Member for Myall Lakes, Stephen Bromhead acknowledge his office had received correspondence from Mr Ziemer and had referred the matter to MidCoast Council traffic committee.
"A traffic flow study has been undertaken in Forster Tuncurry by Roads and Maritime Services, this study has made a number of recommendations which are currently being considered by the department."
MidCoast Council infrastructure and engineering director, Rob Scott explained this section of Manning Street, (The Lakes Way) was not the responsibility of local council.
"However, we do work on behalf of Transport for NSW," Mr Scott said.
He said the traffic committee included delegates from a number of local and state government departments including the police, local member representative, Transport for NSW and council.
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Jeanene Duncan
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
