A busy intersection in Ultimo has been targeted for improvement after residents reported the area as dangerous for pedestrians. The left-turn lane preceding a set of lights at Broadway and Wattle St attracts a steady stream of cars daily, yet those on foot, often students, must dodge vehicles as they make their way across the road without any aides.
Resident groups have appealed to both the City of Sydney and the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) to resolve this hazardous situation.
Chair of the Ultimo Village Voice, Yimmy Seifert said pedestrians have to run for their lives. “I use it quite regularly but it’s always very precarious because of cars coming from different directions,” she said.
“There are more and more students around with UTS. It’s getting more dangerous. It’s like an accident waiting to happen.”
The junction is within walking distance to four tertiary institutions including University of Technology Sydney (UTS), the University of Sydney, the University of Notre Dame and TAFE Ultimo.
According to recent figures, there are over 90,000 students and staff who travel to and from UTS and the University of Sydney.
A City of Sydney spokesperson said: “Wattle Street and Broadway are under RMS control, but the City has asked for pedestrian improvements and
is in discussions with the RMS about the possibility of installing a pedestrian crossing across the left-turn lane from Broadway into Wattle Street.”
An RMS spokesperson said there have been 23 reported crashes in the three years to September 30, 2011. “Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) has
received requests for pedestrian facilities,” the spokesperson said.
“The proposed upgrade includes removal of the slip lane, installing a dedicated left turn lane into Broadway at Wattle Street and median strip
adjustments between Mountain Street and Wattle Street to ensure traffic flow is not disrupted when the safety improvements are installed.”
In addition to being near educational institutions, the intersection is also opposite the large-scale Central Park residential development currently under construction. Pyrmont resident and co-convenor of Pyrmont Action Group, Elizabeth Elenius said removing the slip lane would be an effective solution. “In Sydney, vehicles are favoured all the time and so pedestrians get frustrated waiting,” she said.
“It’s time for a change of philosophy and it’s time to give priority to pedestrians over vehicles.”
A recent NRMA survey on the city’s major roads revealed concerns about Wattle Street’s poor road surface, rude drivers and lack of cycle lane.
Respondents said: “This road is dangerous and a pedestrian is hit almost every day on this road. [There is a] constant stream of pedestrians with no lights or zebra crossing with [a] large number of vehicles turning left.”
