Canberrans headed to the south coast this summer may be delayed by two new pedestrian crossings on the Kings Highway in Braidwood, which will be operational by Christmas after a lengthy campaign from elderly residents in the town.
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A Palerang Council spokesman said community groups in Braidwood had been calling for the pedestrian crossings for more than 18 months and admitted they would have an impact on coast bound traffic during the peak summer period.
"There will be two pedestrian crossings with one of them near the council chambers and one further down the near the town hall and the bakery," he said.
"The elderly and senior citizens in Braidwood requested them as it's a very wide street in an old heritage town and there's quite a distance from curb to curb.
"It's difficult for people to get across safely because there is so much traffic on that road."
NRMA ACT director Alan Evans said Canberrans frustrated by any associated delays should be more patient on a busy and dangerous road.
"The King's Highway is a road with a high traffic volume over the summer period with many motorists demonstrating a burning desire to get down and back from the coast as quick as possible," he said.
"Something just happens to people during this time as they take risks and pass one or two cars but only end up a few metres ahead by the time they get to the Batemans Bay turn off."
Mr Evans said there was no doubt the pedestrian crossings would force Canberrans to slow down while passing through Braidwood but they were not the only option.
"Yes these measures will protect the residents of Braidwood and annoy motorists but there is another solution – a bypass," he said.
"I think Braidwood is a prime candidate for a bypass as it's an urban village with a lot of people living there now who don't work there and want the nice quiet lifestyle."
The development comes after motorists on the King's Highway were forced to slow down on either side of Braidwood last year as part of a multi-million dollar renovation of the coastal route.
The speed limit for 1.5 kilometres on the Canberra side of Braidwood and 2.8 kilometres on the coastal side was cut from 100km/h to 80km/h.
"[The change] has had some criticism as it now takes longer to get to Canberra but the locals are generally happy about it," said the council spokesman.
