Erskineville: Calls for urgent action on dangerous pedestrian crossing on Swanson St

Erskineville residents are furious after another near miss at a dangerous pedestrian crossing. Here’s the latest as plans for an upgrade are scheduled – but not this year.

The Erskineville community has called on the council to help improve safety at the pedestrian crossing on Swanson St.

Erskineville residents have raised concerns about a dangerous pedestrian crossing following another near miss.

The community has called on the City of Sydney council to help improve safety at the pedestrian crossing on Swanson St, between Harry Noble Reserve and The Kurrajong Hotel.

The council has indicated there have been several near-misses with no deaths reported at the crossing.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore reached out to former NSW Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison in February last year and requested for the state-owned road’s zebra crossing to be raised to improve community safety.

A Transport for NSW spokesperson told this masthead on Tuesday they will be upgrading to a raised crossing however not until early 2026.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore previously asked Transport for NSW to raise the crossing. Picture: NewsWire/ Monique Harmer

“Transport will refresh the zebra crossing markings soon to improve safety at this location before the major upgrade work is undertaken,” the spokesperson said.

At the council meeting earlier this week, Councillor Jess Miller said the crossing was not being prioritised.

Transport for NSW said they will refresh the zebra crossing markings before the upgrade. Picture: Google Maps

“They are waiting for someone to be killed before they decide this is a priority crossing worth funding, which I find absolutely unacceptable,” she said.

Ms Miller said Transport for NSW should increase signage, signals and decrease the speed limit near the crossing from 40km/h to 30km/h before the upgrade takes place.

“It’s not a difficult thing to do, but it’s a lifesaving thing to do,” she said.

A shaken Erskineville resident took to the Erskineville 2043 Facebook group on Monday to express his concerns about the crossing following a near-miss.

Councillor Jess Miller said she wants the crossing update to be completed sooner. Picture: File

“I nearly ran over a pedestrian on the crossing outside the Kurrajong pub and I apologise for that,” he said.

“I did scan the crossing and pedestrian approaches and did not see you. There is something really wrong about that crossing.”

In response a woman commented the bushes on the side of the crossing made it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians, while another user suggested the side hedges should be pulled out.

City of Sydney council staff pruned the garden beds on both sides of the crossing in March to improve visibility for road users.

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