Dangerous Gay Crossing to be removed
Roads Minister Duncan Gay insists the crossing poses a ''horrendous'' safety risk, by encouraging pedestrians to pose for photographs in the way of traffic.
But the City of Sydney council, which commissioned the audit Mr Gay cites as evidence of that risk, has a different interpretation of its data.
Lord mayor Clover Moore said any safety risk could be managed by having either police or security staff monitoring the crossing at night.
For its part, the audit report by Bitzios Consulting offers some support to both positions.
The report showed the only accident during the month the Taylor Square crossing has been in place was when someone on drugs ran in front of a motorcycle, in an incident unrelated to the crossing.
But it did say that, with a large number of people under the influence passing through the area at night, there was a temptation to ''skylark'' around the crossing.
The report suggested either removal or ''some form of night time marshal (police or council ranger) to encourage pedestrians not to stay on the crossing''.
Cr Moore wrote to Mr Gay on Friday laying out her different interpretation of the audit.
But a spokesman for Mr Gay insisted on Monday the crossing be removed by either Wednesday or Thursday.
This could be as early as late on Tuesday night.
Removing the crossing will require milling equipment to grind off the coloured paint and top layer of the road surface. A new layer of asphalt will be required.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/rainbow-worrier-says-taylor-square-crossing-must-go-20130408-2hh9y.html#ixzz2PujNMrje
