RESIDENTS of North Ryde are concerned that a life will be taken if better safety measures are not put in place

http://northern-district-times.whereilive.com.au/news/story/stopping-traffic-to-make-sure-children-stay-safe/

RESIDENTS of North Ryde are concerned that a life will be taken if better safety measures are not put in place at the corner of Cox's and Lane Cove roads.

Katherine Israel, one of the founding members of North Ryde Pedestrian Safety Group, said they "need a pedestrian overpass".

Along with other mothers, Nicole Starling and Rebecca Ebel walk across the busy, eight-lane Lane Cove Rd to get their children to school.

"Not only would it make getting to and from school safer, it would improve traffic flow," Mrs Israel said.

"In the short term we would like state Roads Minister Duncan Gay to put in a safety camera, because that can happen immediately.

"We know that even if planning started right now for the bridge, it would take some years before it was completed."

She said the green "walk" signal goes away too quickly to get the whole way across the road.

Ms Starling said there had been many near misses, including one with her youngest daughter.

"My husband had to swerve the pram with my daughter in it when someone ran a red light.

Mr Gay accepted an invitation to visit the site on Friday afternoon and committed to a series of measures, including the possibility of installing a safety camera.

THE PROBLEM:

Safety issues on the corner of Cox's Rd and Lane Cove Rd, North Ryde.

THE FIX:

ROADS Minister Duncan Gay and Ryde state Liberal MP Victor Dominello inspected the intersection on Friday.

Mr Gay has ordered the following works:

A Give Way to Pedestrians sign facing vehicles coming from Coxs Road has been installed;
The green ``walk'' signal time at Lane Cove Rd has been increased during morning and afternoon school zone times;
Arranged for the high visibility Children Cross dhing Ahead sign qlto be moved closer to qlthe crossing (toward Kent Rd);
Installed an additional high visibility Children Crossing Ahead sign near Ford St;
Possibly install a speed camera;
Additional 40km/h school zone pavement.

SAFETY FEARS

Residents want action after a spate of issues with the intersection including:

A child hit by a tyre and very seriously injured in 2009;
A child hit by a motor cycle on the crossing in 2009;
Numerous incidents of cars running the red light;
Lights often changing while pedestrians are still crossing; thCars turning out of Coxs Road into the line of pedestrians. ql vp+4 bfBetween 2006-2010 there have been:
22 crashes within 10 metres of the intersection; ql th15 crashes that involved injuries to three pedestrians, one of them a child; ql th8 crashes which took place during school travel time.