Police act after boy hit on Brelsford park crossing at Coffs Harbour

The 12-year-old was taken to hospital with head and shoulder injuries. Coffs Harbour police have confirmed action has been taken against the driver.

A woman who hit a 12-year-old boy while driving through a pedestrian crossing in Coffs Harbour has not been charged over the incident.

The young boy was hit while walking across the Harbour Drive pedestrian crossing towards Brelsford Park in early August and the incident sparked debate about safety on the busy road.

A spokeswoman for Coffs/Clarence Police said an infringement notice has been issued for the offence of not stop at crossing – pedestrian crossing last week.

They also confirmed charges have not been laid over the incident which resulted in the 12-year-old being taken to hospital with head and shoulder injuries.

In the wake of the event a number of concerns were raised about the crossing and the black fencing which runs along the median strip. Almost 50 per cent of readers in an online poll believed it obscured drivers’ views.

The fence was installed as part of a reconstruction of the crossing by Coffs Harbour City Council in 2019. The crossing was also raised and moved away from the Earl St roundabout.

The work was done in collaboration with Transport for NSW.

“This pedestrian crossing is designed to ensure vehicles are slowed for added safety as it is raised, and it is located in a 40km/h area,” a Transport for NSW the spokeswoman said.

“The pedestrian fence used at this location is approved as per Transport for NSW technical documents.

“Similar fencing is used at numerous locations across the state and locally in Coffs Harbour, on the Pacific Highway between Harbour Drive and Coff Street.”

Transport for NSW also confirmed they had not received any enquiries from the public relating to incidents at the crossing and “nor has it been raised in the regular Local Traffic Committee meetings”.