Power to cross

By EMMA SUN
THE pedestrian crossing at Wray Crescent is causing confusion among Mount Evelyn residents and motorists, with the lights still not on two months after Yarra Ranges Council said works would be completed.
But Yarra Ranges Council says it is currently working on rectifying the situation and getting the lights in working order.
Mount Evelyn Chamber of Commerce President Kathie Freeman said they were told the lights, which are situated outside Morrisons, are still not working due to technical problems.
“The council have contacted us to let us know there’s not suitable power there yet to run the control box for the pedestrian lights, so that’s where the hold-up is,” she said.
She said residents have reported a few near misses at the crossing.
Local resident Amanda Mortel said on the Mail’s Facebook page that she had had some mixed experiences with the crossing.
“I crossed it a couple of times (last) Tuesday with my two young sons and both times the motorists kindly stopped allowing us to cross safely,” she said.
“(The crossing) is quite confusing, as motorists don’t know whether they are obligated to stop or not. My three-year-old was pushing the button over and over.”
Robyn Schimmelpfennig criticised the situation with the pedestrian crossing lights.
“It is hard to see traffic coming down past the parked cars,” she said.
“The lights should be working after the money has been spent installing them.”
Ms Freeman urged the council to get the lights sorted out.
“We encourage residents to be more aware and hopefully the council will get it rectified as soon as possible.”
Yarra Ranges Council engineering and environment director Mark Varmalis said the council was still working with contractors and service authorities to get the lights up and running.
“It’s a bit more of a complicated process than we first anticipated and we’re working through all issues with service authorities and an electricity supplier,” he said.
“We have put additional signage up to make sure people know that’s the right place to cross and in the meantime we will try and get the lights up and running as soon as possible.”