Emma Pritchard

Last week, two existing pedestrian crossings in Prince Street, Grafton, were converted into wombat crossings, raised, flat-top platforms which aim to establish a more pedestrian friendly environment by slowing traffic and providing improved visibility for motorists.

The instalment was undertaken as part of Clarence Valley Council’s (CVC) Rediscover Grafton project.

Following the completion of the work on December 15 and 16, the Clarence Valley Independent spoke to a number of pedestrians and asked them to share their thoughts on the new editions, and if they were helping them to feel safer when crossing Prince Street.

Sari Wiseman: I think it was a great idea to install them. I’ve almost been hit on several occasions while crossing Prince Street by drivers who obviously weren’t paying attention. I think the wombat crossings will definitely make a lot of people feel safer, and I feel safer knowing they’re there.

Vikki Morrissey: These ridiculous wombat crossings won’t do a thing for pedestrian safety. Pruning the gardens and shrubbery in Prince Street to improve visibility for motorists is all that needs to be done. It’s like a jungle at the moment. Maybe it was a cheaper option to put some bumps on the road instead of contacting a gardener?

Luellen Paul: I don’t think these new crossings needed to be put in place because I don’t think there was or is a big problem with pedestrian safety in Grafton.

David Young: What a waste of money. Roads everywhere in the Clarence Valley are already full of potholes, and now we’ve got more bumps to drive over.

Alan Markman: It was only 12 months ago that an elderly woman was struck on a Prince Street pedestrian crossing, and I can’t believe it’s taken this long for wombat crossings to be installed. If people are going to complain about driving over a small, raised area which is designed to keep people safe, then they should chuck away their licences now.

Xavier Dooley: I’m from Sydney, and I drive over wombat crossings all the time. They do make you pay more attention when you’re behind the wheel, but you can never really predict what a pedestrian might do. Having wombat crossings won’t do much to protect pedestrians if they decide to try and cross the road in another location, or if they randomly rush out from behind a parked car. It’s up to everyone to keep themselves and those around them safe by doing the right thing