Mosmanites on notorious rat run demand safety fencing upgrade
MOSMAN residents waiting for anti-rat run traffic lights to be turned on, at the Spit East carpark exit, have called for an upgrade to shambolic safety fencing in Parriwi Rd.
Mosman
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MOSMAN Council has installed traffic lights to discourage Parriwi Rd rat runners, but a footpath upgrade must be finished before the lights start working.
The council installed the lights at the Spit East carpark exit in December. City-bound commuters cut through the carpark and rat run along Parriwi Rd to beat Spit Rd traffic.
The intersection’s much-maligned boom gate was removed to make way for the traffic lights. But residents remain concerned about safety in their street while waiting for the lights to become operational.
The footpath railing and road barriers have areas of disrepair, including a section of railing with white tubing and grey tape, while rotting wooden barriers have collapsed.
Kylie Clarke asked when the council would install “overdue safety fencing”.
“The parlous state of the fencing along that stretch from Middle Harbour Yacht Club is nothing short of a dangerous ‘dog’s breakfast’,” she said.
“We can only hope it won’t take as long as the still uncommissioned traffic lights at MHYC carpark to address the morning peak hour rat run — seven-plus years and still counting.
“The hopelessly inadequate boom gate kept breaking, created a crazy race of 15 or more vehicles tailgating each other to get through each opening and was totally circumvented by all motorcycles.”
Husband Rob Clarke agreed the footpath railing and road barriers should be upgraded “immediately”.
“They’ve been deteriorating since the early 2000s when we moved in,” he said.
“The hotchpotch of materials used for fencing and safety guardrails ... is totally unsatisfactory and unacceptable for such a steep cliff. This is a very popular, scenic walking route.”
The council’s spokeswoman said the installation of the traffic lights was in accordance with the plan communicated to residents, including the early securing of the lighting contractor.
“Civil works are set to be completed this month. Roads and Maritime Services will then test the lights ... before they become operational,” she said.
“Some barriers and pedestrian hand rails are not in optimal condition and the council will continue to carry out necessary maintenance to them.”
A Roads and Maritime Services spokeswoman said the traffic lights were a council project and once the project was complete, the RMS would commission the traffic lights.