Pedestrian safety at risk in McCartin Street

A LEONGATHA resident believes McCartin Street desperately needs a pedestrian crossing upgrade after a horror experience late last year. 

Christine Seggie was attempting to cross the busy street in her wheelchair when she was accidently hit by an oncoming vehicle, causing significant injuries including fractures and bruising. 

“In McCartin Street there’s no crossing like a zebra crossing,” she said.

“I was crossing the road near the post office and as I was heading across to the other side, a car came around the corner and hit me in my wheelchair.

“I’ve spoken to a number of people and they’ve said there has been a few incidents happening in that street because it’s so busy.

“We can’t understand why there’s three crossings in Bair Street but none in McCartin. 

“We’re hoping we can do something about this.”

Since the accident, Christine’s confidence has greatly suffered as she is now fearful of being outside and being struck again. 

“That was only my second time out in a wheelchair, and you’ve got to take your time to cross the road,” she said.

“There desperately needs to be a zebra crossing or something for people to get across.”

Bair Street had undergone a significant renewal over two years which saw upgrades to its overall streetscape including new lighting, landscaping, street furniture and car parking spaces.

The street also became a pedestrian shared zone with zebra crossings installed at three locations. 

“McCartin Street Leongatha is an arterial road managed by the state Department of Transport – not council,” South Gippsland Shire stated.

“However, council appreciate the need for a pedestrian crossing on McCartin Street and have been supporting the Department of Transport in their efforts to seek funding for the construction of a new crossing.”