Residents are divided in their opinions about the new wombat crossing on Mostyn Street.
Works on the pedestrian crossing commenced last week and are estimated to be completed by the beginning of next week.
Designed to improve pedestrian safety, the work includes the installation of a raised crossing, a reduction in the width of traffic lanes and improved street lighting.
Last week, the council flagged the impending works on Facebook, which was followed by a post on The Castlemaine Connection, questioning the council’s decision to turn off comments on their thread.
Responses to both posts varied. Some commenters questioned why the council wasn’t focusing its energy on the dangerous stretch of road on Forest Street, while others felt the money would be better spent repairing roads. Some called out for more parking spaces, while others worried this would create visibility issues.
Most of the comments were disparaging of the council, while others were complimentary.
A streetscape design expert said that wombat crossings are safer and, if designed properly, make it easier for mobility and make kids more visible.
“I’m tired of people deciding money should be spent somewhere else on projects in our community. It’s not how funding works,” they wrote.
“The works make our community safer. Yes, there are other problems. They need fixing, too. But let’s not cut off good projects to get them done. Let’s just simply ask for more to be done.”
