Welcome news: Penrith mayor Mark Davies and Mulgoa state MP Tanya Davies at the launch of the high-pedestrian area at St Marys.Picture supplied by Penrith Council
QUEEN Street in St Marys is on the road to becoming safer for shoppers.
The high-pedestrian-activity area will include a lower speed limit of 40km/h, three new speed humps in East Lane, a new raised pedestrian crossing on Phillip Street and entry signage on each approach to the high-pedestrian zone.
The scheme includes two raised pedestrian crossings in Queen Street as part of $200,000 worth of Nation Building Blackspot federal funding announced earlier this year.
The high-pedestrian area will be established next year.
Of 10 reported crashes in the St Marys CBD since 2007, five have been in Queen Street, said state Mulgoa MP Tanya Davies.
"In my time as a councillor, and an MP, I've received requests from a lot of concerned business people who have witnessed and heard near-misses," she said.
Her husband Mark, who is the new Penrith mayor, said: "It's great to see a substantial amount of money being put into St Marys, which is getting busier and busier.
"It's a win-win for the community of St Marys where people work, run businesses and shop. It's great to see council spending going back into St Marys."
Mrs Davies said the pedestrian crossing near King Street was one of the most urgent concerns.
"I'm not sure whether it's the density of the trees or drivers turning into Queen Street from the highway being unaware of the crossing," she said. "This project will visually remind drivers that it's a high-pedestrian area."
Residents have welcomed the news. "It's about time! This should have been done a long time ago," Linda Haywood wrote on the Star's Facebook page.
The two raised thresholds being built in Queen Street will be completed within six weeks, weather permitting, a Penrith Council spokeswoman said.
"Building the thresholds on a busy road like Queen Street takes time to ensure workers, road-users and pedestrians are safe and catered for during construction," the spokeswoman said.
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