Frederick St, Ashfield: Traffic lights to be installed on deadly Inner West intersection, pedestrian crossing

A notorious intersection in Sydney’s inner west – where a 87-year-old man was fatally struck by a car on a pedestrian crossing – is set to receive traffic lights in a much-needed safety boost.

Flowers left at the crossing on the intersection of Frederick st and John St after an 87-year-old man was hit and killed in April. Picture: Alexi Demetriadi

A notorious and deadly intersection in Sydney’s Inner West will soon have traffic lights installed, following a community campaign following a spate of dangerous incidents.

NSW Roads Minister Natalie Ward announced on Tuesday traffic lights would be installed at the intersection and pedestrian crossing on Frederick St, Ashfield, next year, as a result of community engagement.

“I asked Transport for NSW to improve the safety of this intersection because one death on our roads is one too many,” Ms Ward said.

In April, an 87-year-old grandfather was killed when he was allegedly hit by a car while crossing at the intersection.

The alleged driver was charged with dangerous and negligent driving, and not giving way to a pedestrian crossing. She remains before the courts.

Metropolitan Roads Minister Natalie Ward announced the changes on Tuesday. Picture: Nikki Short

A change.org petition calling for traffic lights at the intersection, launched following the fatal incident in April, reached 2300 signatures.

Max Phillips, a resident who started the petition, said there was “something very wrong” with the intersection.

“We teach our children to cross at pedestrian crossings, because they’re meant to be the safest place to cross the road,” Mr Phillips previously said.

“I don’t know what it is – the lighting and signage, or the intersection – but there’s something very wrong with this crossing.”

A Google Maps view of the intersection and crossing on Frederick St and John St in Ashfield.

Following the fatality, Transport for NSW launched an extensive investigation on ways to improve safety at the crossing.

“We’ve listened to locals who clearly support the installation of traffic lights, an end to right-hand turns from Frederick St and the relocation of the bus stop further west,” Ms Ward said.

Max Phillips with his daughter. Mr Phillips started a petition now with over 2300 signatures to install lights on the crossing. Picture: Alexi Demetriadi

“We will look to make changes to any intersection where there are concerns about safety because that is our number one priority.”

The traffic lights will be in operation for all four sides of the intersection of Frederick St and John St, with detailed design work currently taking place.

As part of separate works on Frederick St and Milton St, between Parramatta Rd and Georges River Rd, the road’s speed limit was also reduced from 60km/h to 50km/h.

The crossing had long been a notorious black spot and been the subject of years of community campaigns to improve safety. In a 12-month period in 2015-16, 30 pedestrian injuries were recorded at the intersection which has inherent issues with sight, speed and layout.