Long crossing wait

By Casey Neill
FERNTREE Gully Village traders have welcomed Knox City Council’s plan to include a crossing in the shopping precinct’s redevelopment.
But some have questioned an eight-month wait for the Station Street safety-measure.
In July, Ferntree Gully Village traders and shoppers presented the council with a 192-signature petition that called for the crossing.
Trader Anthony Herrod said the need was simple.
“We’ve got people in wheelchairs, we’ve got elderly, we’ve got a major bus station,” he said.
Traffic consultants have also recommended the move.
Knox councillors last Tuesday (22 September) agreed to consider a formal pedestrian crossing on Station Street between Francis Crescent and The Avenue as part of its Ferntree Gully Village Streetscape Master Plan.
A painted zebra crossing would cost $10,000, while a crossing with flashing amber lights would cost between $55,000 and $100,000 depending on its location.
The council will complete the planning by February and consider priority projects in June.
Petition organiser and store owner Donna Price welcomed the crossing’s inclusion but said an eight-month wait was too lengthy.
“It doesn’t take long to paint a few lines,” she said.
“You are putting your life on the line on that street at the moment.”
Dobson Ward councillor Sue McMillan said she appreciated Ms Price’s concern.
“There is definitely an urgent need for a crossing,” she said.
“But if we just take a couple more months we’ll get it right.”
Ms Price said amber flashing lights to alert drivers to the crossing would be the best option.
“Everyone just goes over the white lines anyway,” she said.
“It’s got to be cautioned.”
Coffee shop owner Shane Saunders said the crossing was a necessity.
“But the timeline’s obviously not something we can affect,” he said.
“It’s a waste of time jumping up and down about it.”
Mr Saunders said he saw drivers every day drive through the strip at high speed and students and shoppers dash across the road to the trains and buses.
“It’s only a matter of time before there’s an incident,” he said.