By BRIDGET SCOTT
A MEMBER of the Hampton Park Senior Citizens group says members “have their hearts in their throats” when they attempt to cross Pound Road in Hampton Park.
Neil Sheppard from the Senior Citizens group said this has been an ongoing issue for around 16 years.
As a result, his group has lobbied for a push-button pedestrian crossing across Pound Road, near Narallen Drive.
“We are petrified someone will be injured or worse,” he said.
“It’s dangerous at any time.”
Mr Sheppard said it was a big deal for members of his group who used motorised scooters or were vision impaired, and said he had also seen children using a drain nearby to cross the road.
“It’s not only an issue for seniors,” he said.
He said the group had felt a “lack of support” for their cause from different levels of government.
“Residents would like a controlled crossing in Pound Road,” he said.
“It’s a multi-directional road and trying to get across it at any stage is dangerous.”
He said the group prepared a petition for the City of Casey council last year which they said went to VicRoads.
City of Casey Election Advocacy spokesman Cr Sam Aziz said that the council was aware of some local residents’ concerns regarding difficulty crossing Pound Road near the Hampton Park Senior Citizens Facility.
“The council has been advocating on behalf of the community for a pedestrian crossing to be installed at this location,” he said.
“The council has raised the issue with VicRoads and also with the Minister for Roads on a number of occasions and has facilitated meetings between representatives of the Hampton Park Senior Citizens Club and VicRoads as recently as July this year.”
He said no funding had been committed for delivery of this project and the council would welcome it from either party.
VicRoads Metropolitan South East Region director Adam Maguire said VicRoads had undertaken research to see where a pedestrian crossing would be best suited along Pound Road.
“As an outcome of these investigations, a proposal to install pedestrian operated signals on Pound Road, near Highland Avenue will be considered for future funding,” he said.
“VicRoads will install ‘pedestrian crossing’ warning signs at this location by the end of this week.”
