A pharmacist fears for the safety of his customers after a pedestrian crossing was removed from outside Amcal Max Pharmacy in Rutherford.
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Managing pharmacist Phill Slater said there were close calls between vehicles and pedestrians, particularly elderly
people, every day since the crossing was removed about six months ago.
“There are hoons that fly past and I’ve had people come into the pharmacy
crying because they have nearly been hit,” he said. “It’s just ridiculous.”
Mr Slater said he had approached Maitland City Council in November and again in January to find out why the crossing was removed and presented a petition containing 500 signatures, lobbying for the crossing to be returned.
“I’m scared that one of these people is going to get hit,” he said.
“They [elderly people] can break a hip if they fall down a step so imagine what will happen if they get hit by a car.”
Council’s infrastructure, planning and development engineering manager Stephen Hawes confirmed that Maitland City Council had the crossing blacked out.
“The pedestrian crossing was placed in this location without Maitland City Council’s approval and did not meet the standards and signage requirements for pedestrian crossings,” he said.
“Council has since undertaken line marking to make the area safer for pedestrians.”