Driveway danger

THE MANLY DAILY

Wednesday 18 September 2002

Watch your step ... the driveway which leaves little room for pedestrians at Palm Beach

by HONIDA ABU-ALI

A DRIVEWAY in Palm Beach is endangering the lives of pedestrians, according to a leading lobbyist.

Pedestrian Council of Australia chairman Harold Scruby claims a driveway built 18 months ago - which juts out into a bus stop in Barrenjoey Rd - has made the spot extremely dangerous for commuters and bus drivers.

"I'm surprised no one has been killed yet. The construction is not in accordance with council (requirements)," Mr Scruby said.

"Orders were served on the owners nearly 18 months ago by the council but nothing has been done.

"It is a very busy main road, there is no footpath, there are double lines and the location is sandwiched between two blind corners.

"That the authorities have done nothing about this for so long, although they have conceded the illegality of the construction, is extraordinary and an abrogation of their duty of care."

Mr Scruby said bus drivers were forced to navigate bendy-buses into the bus stop, which was extremely dangerous for passengers and pedestrians. "This is utterly unacceptable. "I'm truly surprised the bus drivers haven't complained about it," he said.

However, Pittwater Council general manger Angus Gordon said the Roads and Traffic Authority, which owns that stretch of road, endorsed the driveway under section 138 of the Roads Act.

"The RTA indicated to the owners of the property that the consent did not require execution by council," Mr Gordon said.

"It is therefore the council's understanding that the RTA was not only the consent authority for the driveway but also clearly indicated that council does not have a role in that consent."

However, an RTA spokesman said Pittwater Council was the consent authority for the construction of this driveway.

"As providing access to a main road, the RTA has been involved and required the owner to make a number modifications to the proposal," he said.

Attempts to contact the owner of the property for comment on the issue were unsuccessful.