'Dangerous' Denne Street intersection to get an upgrade, thanks to government commitment

Sarah McAlpin and Kylie Pollard have called for an upgrade of the pedestrian crossings on Bridge Street.

In both cases, traffic light signals send cars turning into Bridge Street while children from neighbouring schools cross.

A spokesperson for Transport for NSW confirmed to the Leader that alterations will be carried out to "traffic light operations" at both intersections.

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Transport for NSW staff will also install pedestrian warning signs.

"Technical investigations are being carried out into installing red arrows as suggested by road users. Once these investigations are complete Transport for NSW will prioritise this work against other key projects in the area," the spokesperson said.

"Transport for NSW is also investigating funding options for further safety upgrades at these locations."

Mrs McAlpine said the commitment "sounds like a fix".

"If it goes ahead, I'll be ecstatic," she said.

"As far as that intersection, except for the cars being able to turn while the pedestrians are crossing, there don't seem to be any major issues at that intersection, except that."

She said that the intersection has been obviously risky for seven or eight years, and she'd like to know how long the solution would take to implement.

"That is really really good news to hear. I'd prefer a defined timeline. It really just shows that they are taking our kids' safety seriously," she said.

Kylie Pollard said the commitment is "good news".

"It is good news, they're listening, which is good news."

Mrs Pollard told the Leader in June that there were daily near-misses at the Bridge Street intersection with Crown Street.

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The pedestrian crossing is a popular route home for children from St Joseph's Primary School and the Denne Street crossing is popular for kids from Tamworth West Public School.

Mrs McAlpine last year watched her daughter, Emily, suffer a near-miss at the intersection.

She said others have had their own near-misses and two adults, workers at a nearby business, have been actually hit.

"It sort of came to a head last year when I actually witnessed Emily almost getting hit," she said.

"Luckily he stopped and Emily stepped back. I screamed. Luckily it didn't happen, but it was horrific, my heart stopped. A less attentive driver, it would have happened."

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