Concerns raised over pedestrians walking out into traffic at Waterford shopping centre
The crossing has lights but councillors say pedestrians are still walking out without looking. Stock Image.
A row erupted at the March sitting of Dungarvan-Lismore District Council over a zebra crossing.
Councillor Thomas Phelan asked that the council either remove the lights at the crossing outside the Dungarvan shopping centre or turn it constant amber.
He said it is dangerous because pedestrians only see the crossing and walk out in front of traffic.
Senior Engineer Gabriel Hynes said the lights were the safest option but he would look at it.
However, Cllr Tom Cronin insisted something had to be done because it is currently on drivers to know to stop.
“People are just walking straight out of the shopping centre, straight across don’t look. What is the solution? - I don’t know but we have to stop people walking out across the road without looking right or left,” said Cllr Cronin.
Mr Hynes responded that he didn’t see why the current system was confusing.
“I’m perplexed in relation to the traffic light. If the man is red, you don’t walk across the road would be my understanding,” said Mr Hynes.
A remark to which several councillors objected.
Cllr John Pratt said he had a near miss in the area recently and Cllr Damien Geoghegan said this has been an issue since the centre opened.
“Local motorists know pedestrians are going to walk out in front of them so they stop, and when you stop the pedestrian will walk out in front of you.
"It’s been like that since day one and that shopping centre has been open 20 years.
"As a local and a motorist that drives down there, I stop every single time whether I have a green light or a red light and that is the reality. That is what the lads are referring to.
“So just examine it and se if there is a better way of doing it,” said Cllr Geoghegan.
Mr Hynes said they would take advice from experts in road safety and discuss it further.
