But the plan’s supporters have vowed to continue with a push to have a rainbow crossing created in a park or in a public plaza as a show of support for the region’s gay and lesbian community.

Labor councillor Declan Clausen first proposed the crossing in July when he asked council staff to investigate the feasibility and costs of creating a rainbow crossing on a local road or ‘‘alternative public place’’. The request was part of a broader ‘‘equality for Novocastrians’’ push which included the council’s formal support for same-sex marriage.

The council’s traffic committee, which comprises police, RMS and council representatives along with Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp, met on Monday and decided it could not support such a crossing on a public road.

A council spokeswoman confirmed on Tuesday that a decision had been made and ‘‘the idea of a rainbow crossing ... was not supported due to deviation from road regulations and potential safety concerns. Council staff are continuing to assess a range of other options and intend to report back to the elected council in October,’’ she said.

Cr Clausen said that while he’d have preferred to see the rainbow crossing installed on a road, preferably at Hamilton where the gay and lesbian community has an historic connection, he acknowledged that police and the RMS were ‘‘totally justified’’ in their concerns.

‘‘This is part of a process and I respect that,’’ he said. ‘‘But we’ve had some good ideas coming in regarding alternative options which can be considered.’’

Among those options is a rainbow crossing on the pedestrian plaza near Hamilton’s Beaumont Street clock tower.