NSW Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) practice no longer permits pedestrian crossings on roads with two or more marked travel lanes in the same direction.

It follows a number of incidents across the state, including fatalities. 

“I’m confident that anyone who travels this intersection would have experienced moments of unease about its safety. Pedestrians will be encouraged to use the crossing further west along White Street near Peel Street,” Tamworth Regional Council Acting Manager Road Infrastructure Jeremy Bartlett said.

The crossing will be removed in the coming fortnight.

“A replacement pedestrian facility in White St is not currently planned, however an alternate crossing or pedestrian refuge may be possible if the 40km/hr High Pedestrian Activity Zone goes ahead.”

An RMS request to install traffic lights at the intersection of Fitzroy and Marius Street will also see the relocation of the mid-block pedestrian crossing on Marius Street (between White and Fitzroy) to a more suitable location on Marius Street.

“The City CBD Working Group would liaise with the Local Traffic Committee to propose a suitable location based on traffic and pedestrian movements, with current statistics showing that Marius Street between White and Hill Street has the highest pedestrian movements along that stretch,” Mr Bartlett said.