By BRIDGET COOK
WHEN Amanda Stapledon was on her Mayor’s Walk for Disability earlier this year, she got to experience firsthand the inconvenience faced by the Hampton Park community every day.
As the convoy of people taking part tried to cross Pound Road from the seniors centre to continue on their journey, they were forced to wait about 10 minutes before they could cross safely.
Hampton Park Seniors Centre president Neil Shepard said that was where their fresh appeal for a pedestrian crossing along that stretch of road started.
“I said to Cr Stapledon, ‘now you know how we feel trying to cross this road’,” he said.
“And our campaign started from there really. We were advised to start up a petition.”
At last week’s Casey council meeting, councillor Damien Rosario tabled a petition on behalf of the residents with 565 signatures seeking a commitment to the provision of a pedestrian crossing on Pound Road.
Mr Shepard said this issue had been brought to the attention of VicRoads on numerous occasions in the past.
He said the lack of a pedestrian crossing was affecting the whole community, which became evident as they went around Hampton Park collecting signatures.
“You take your life into your own hands trying to cross that road,” he said.
“There is also a retirement near the seniors centre, and they said they couldn’t cross Pound Road to get to the bus stop on the other side.
“We’ve got school children telling us they had problems crossing the road too.
“There’s a crossing supervisor further down the road, but what happens if they are late or like now when exams are on and students are going to school at different times?
“The feedback we got from resident was that it was about time something was being done.”
Cr Rosario said the council would advocate on behalf of residents to address this community safety issue.
“Crossing Pound Road is quite dangerous and many describe it as taking your life into your own hands,” he said.
“Even when the road is quiet, elderly residents have trouble crossing as the curbs are high and nature strips are not flat and can cause injury if you are not careful.
“One of the major access issues is that most shops, doctors and other medical services are located on the opposite side of Pound Road from the seniors centre.
“The nearest traffic lights to safely cross Pound Road are located near Vanessa Drive, about 1km away and Hallam Road intersection, about 800 metres away.
“Near the seniors centre would be an ideal middle point for a pedestrian crossing.”
VicRoads acting regional director Con Stasinos said they had undertaken detailed investigations at this site to determine the most appropriate treatment option to improve pedestrian access.
“As a result of these investigations, a proposal to install pedestrian operated signals on Pound Road near Highland Avenue will be considered for future funding in the context of state-wide priorities,” he said.
