Gunnedah Shire Council has explained why calls for a new pedestrian crossing near the town centre, have been dismissed.

Council’s Local Traffic Advisory Committee recently advised the outcome of an enquiry about pedestrian safety at the corner of Elgin and Barber streets.

It referred to a 2024 report from a member of the public who indicated near misses at the location during school drop off hours.

“It is only a matter of time before a child is hit crossing the road here at the hands of a driver approaching the intersection and racing around the corner too fast,” the community member said.

The location is bordered a church, preschool, small business and residential dwellings. It is also within a short distance of a primary school, fast food outlet and service station.

According to council, a study undertaken showed pedestrian movements were “generally low” and no further action was needed in relation to pedestrian activity at this specific location.

When the matter was raised at council’s ordinary meeting, councillor Juliana McArthur suggested the intersection may one day warrant a roundabout.

The elected member also enquired what was considered “low” in the pedestrian study.

Council’s director of infrastructure services Jeremy Bartlett said the study was conducted across multiple days and different times. But ultimately, the definition of what constituted the requirement for a pedestrian is set by a pre-determined national standard.

According to the traffic committee report, Transport for NSW guidelines suggest that where 200 vehicles in an hour and more than 40 pedestrian movements exist at the same time at a location, a pedestrian crossing could be considered.

The report stated the number of pedestrian movements could be reduced to 20, subject to council policy but Gunnedah Shire Council did not approve this adjustment.

Mr Bartlett said the introduction of crossings at locations where pedestrian movements are low, could create a more “dangerous situation” than what existed before.

He explained how motorists could navigate through a specific crossing multiple times and encounter no pedestrians. But when a pedestrian does attempt to cross, and rightly expects the right of way, they can be hit by drivers who assume crossing would be clear as it had been before.

Councillor McArthur also enquired about the cost for pedestrian crossings.

Mr Bartlett said it was “impossible” to comment on cost without detailed design of specific proposals.

He did, however, highlight other low cost options such as traffic “blisters” which are available to enhance pedestrian safety. These structures often stretch out into the roadway and can be installed alongside pedestrian refuge islands.

Similar measures were recently implemented on Conadilly Street opposite Club Gunnedah.