The current pedestrian hostile environment in Ringwood is hampering efforts to create a a vibrant town centre for Ringwood.

The Ringwood Transit City Community Coalition (RTCCC) issued a media release highlighting current areas of concern within Ringwood and calling for immediate and recognisable improvements.

FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
Media Release – Monday, May 23, 2005

Pedestrians Treated Poorly in Ringwood

The Ringwood Transit City Community Coalition (RTCCC) is demanding immediate improvements to rectify the pedestrian hostile environment within the Ringwood Town Centre.

“Pedestrians form the lifeblood of any town centre through boosting retail trade and creating a vibrant atmosphere”, RTCCC Transport and Planning Spokesperson Alex Makin said. “Unfortunately the current environment in Ringwood is blatantly hostile to the needs of pedestrians and must be improved immediately”.

Survey data compiled by the RTCCC identified a number of pedestrian concerns including the pedestrian crossing along Maroondah Highway between Eastland and Ringwood Station, as well as the crossing across Wantirna Road and the lack of direct pedestrian access between Eastland, Ringwood Market and Ringwood Square.

“The Maroondah Highway crossing between Ringwood Station and Eastland is a hazard for the elderly and people with disabilities”, RTCCC Accessibility Spokesperson Margaret Stevens said. “While other residents have the choice to run across Maroondah Highway in time to catch a bus or train from Ringwood Station, people who have a disability must struggle to cross the Highway in as little as 10 seconds. Otherwise they risk being stuck on the thin median strip seeing nothing but cars speeding past for the next minute and a half”.

Pedestrians are given only 10 seconds to cross Maroondah Highway before the signal begins to flash while vehicular traffic along Maroondah Highway is given 90 seconds before the lights change from green to amber. A second pedestrian crossing across Maroondah Highway was removed in 2003, resulting in the overcrowding of the one remaining crossing from Ringwood Station to Eastland, causing discomfort for people with a disability.

“Ringwood cannot become a vibrant centre until pedestrian issues are rectified; this includes the immediate need to restore the second pedestrian crossing across Maroondah Highway and to provide longer crossing times for pedestrians. The choice is simple, Ringwood either becomes a pedestrian friendly and vibrant centre, or we remain a suburb that people simply drive past” Mr. Makin concluded.

About the Ringwood Transit City Community Coalition (RTCCC):

The RTCCC was formed to strengthen community participation and stimulate open and honest discussion regarding the Ringwood Transit City project. For further details call 0409 136 213 or visit www.rtccc.info.

ALL MEDIA ENQUIRIES: ALEX MAKIN ON 0409 136 213

ENDS