A number of residents have raised the issue, including signing a petition calling for the council to install a crossing at a convenient and safe location between Parramatta Road and Maud Street, Lidcombe.
Ms Voltz said the busy 1.4km stretch of John Street had a 60km/h speed limit but no safe place for residents to cross.
“It is concerning that there is no avenue for people to cross the street for such a long stretch on a busy road,” she said.
“There are a number of shops along that stretch and my own office is in the same vicinity, so I’ve seen first-hand how busy John Street can be and how dangerous it is for pedestrians.
“At the moment, there isn’t a safe means of crossing the street from the Lidcombe Centre at Parramatta Road all the way to Lidcombe Public School.”
However, the council says its has investigated pedestrian movements several times in John Street and there were only a few people crossing the road and those pedestrians did so at various locations based on their needs.
A council spokesperson said after further observations, a detailed pedestrian count was undertaken near the Boorea Street and John Street intersection in 2019, and it was recommended that a pedestrian refuge be installed as there was not enough pedestrian activity to qualify for a marked pedestrian crossing.
However, “tighter’ budget restraints has meant the refuge has yet to be installed and will considered in the next financial year.
“It is time Cumberland Council made the installation of this crossing a priority for the safety of all local residents,” Ms Voltz said.
