Far from improving safety in Tincogan Street, the signage changes and pedestrian crossing implemented by Council in December have aggravated the situation.
Traffic between Dalley and Station Streets has not just sped up, but many drivers now put their foot down, and having attained speeds well in excess of 50km/h are now most reluctant to stop for pedestrians at the new crossing. Mullumbimby Automotive’s manager, Sam Meagher, said that his fit and healthy mechanics have had several near misses. (His mechanics now have to regularly cross Tincogan Street to track down customers’ cars, often located a block or more away.) God help the infirm on their mobility scooters!
In addition to Tincogan Street residents, Sam Meagher is now also very much in favour of a 30km/h limit, not just for pedestrian safety, but for general road safety.
As pointed out in my Echo letters (18 January and 22 February), a 30km/h limit between Dalley Street all the way to Prince Street at the railway crossing makes sense, and will improve safety, especially if highlighted by large markings on the roadway.
As part of above immediate safety work, would Council please also relocate Tincogan Street’s problematic pedestrian crossing to Stuart Street east, so as to be perfectly aligned with town centre. This would eliminate the ‘No Stopping’ signs outside Mullumbimby Automotive, return valuable assessment space outside their garage, avert countless road crossings by their mechanics, and thus restore their efficient service to Mullumbimby motorists.
