DIY traffic lanes improve traffic woes in inner west blackspot

A MYSTERY motorist has given a new meaning to ‘street art’ by painting dedicated turning lines at a notorious inner west black spot.

The makeshift lines appeared at the intersection last week.

A MYSTERY motorist has given a new meaning to ‘street art’ by painting dedicated turning lines at a notorious inner west black spot.

The unknown person who appears to be fed up with overdue road upgrades took action last week by painting traffic lines at the crossing of John and Frederick streets in Ashfield.

The DIY job, stretching about 20m, gives motorists on John St room to turn left into Frederick St without having to wait for right-turning traffic.

Residents who have long campaigned for improvements at the intersection have already reported a “marked improvement” in traffic flows in the area. The black spot has come under increased scrutiny after crashes at the crossing left 30 people injured in 2015-16.

“We’ve have been trying to get the council to do something about the crossing for more than a decade and nothing’s been done,” resident Rene Holmes said.

“It’s one of the worst intersections in the area and it’s right on top of a pedestrian crossing … The lines are working and drivers are following them. To whoever painted it, I say who can blame them?”

Local residents at the corner of Frederick and John Street, Ashfield have been campaigning for improvements at the intersection.

The former Ashfield Council, now Inner West Council, approved upgrades to the intersection in 2001 but 15 years on has yet to carry out the works.

Delays have been blamed on “buck passing” between the council, which manages John St, and the State Government, which has authority over Frederick St.

A council spokesman said the makeshift lines would be removed, saying the works were “unauthorised and illegal and could potentially be dangerous”.

“Without understanding the implications of measures, there is a risk and danger of creating or exacerbating safety problems,” the spokesman said.

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Manish Prashar, who works at Power Crank Batteries facing the intersection, called on the council to make the lines permanent, a call echoed by former councillor Julie Passas who said “the $5 job has saved ratepayers $50,000”.

RMS said upgrades would be carried out this year.