NEWS
Rat-running motorists are using the new Chinatown Mall as a shortcut to the city, putting the lives of mall visitors at risk.
One local worker told The Independent that over a relatively short period last week, he saw four cars illegally drive up through the mall to turn citybound on Ann Street. Law-abiding drivers who are leaving Forwin’s Chinatown carpark exit on the western side of the mall (pictured above) and do the right thing by going down to the end and turning right onto one-way Wickham Street.
If they are heading up to the city, they then turn right on Warner Street behind McWhirters or on other streets to the north.
The illegal drivers, to save just a few minutes, turn right at the carpark exit, drive under the grand arch, the centrepiece of the new $8 million-plus mall makeover, and then turn right onto Ann Street. The Independent has been told that some of these drivers are reaching dangerous speeds in this manoeuvre as they clearly want to minimise the time taken for the illegal shortcut.
Local councillor David Hinchliffe (Central Ward) says barriers need to be erected immediately before someone gets hurt.
“My office has already counted more than 30 cars driving up and down the mall - and that’s just in one week. One of the cars even crashed into a seat. The most basic part of any mall design ought to be to make sure it is pedestrian-friendly.
"Pedestrians are being honked by motorists to get out of the way as they drive up the mall."
Cr Hinchliffe said he had raised the issue with Councillor Jane Prentice who oversaw the mall design. Her response had been: “Council’s malls section is reviewing arrangements that will maximise use of the mall and minimise unnecessary vehicle movements. In addition, the Feng Shui characteristics of the mall must be considered.”
Cr Hinchliffe told The Independent: “I can tell you now the pedestrians who are diving for cover as motorists tear up the mall aren’t impressed with its current Feng Shui!”
