AN ORMISTON pensioner has urged Transport Minister Mark Bailey to install traffic lights at a busy Cleveland roundabout to improve safety for pedestrians.
In a letter to Mr Bailey, Robert Webb said if there were lights at the Shore Street West and Wellington Street roundabout he could cross at a “normal old person’s pace”.
“At 80, I am not so good at sprinting,” he said.
“So I wait and then wait some more and finally scramble my way to the small bit of concrete in the centre of the road and wait there for the final dash.”
Oodgeroo MP Mark Robinson recently likened crossing the four-lane Shore Street West to running of the bulls in Spain it is so dangerous.
Mr Webb said he could “just vegetate at home”.
“But medical experts tell me that if I want to avoid becoming a drain on the public purse by demanding too many medical services, I need to keep the exercise up.
“Walking is one of the best exercises as you know,” he wrote to the minister.
Mr Webb said he lived nearby and used a mechanic in Shore Street West, walking home after dropping off his car.
He said there were many people who were benefit from a safe crossing near the roundabout as there were schools and retirement villages nearby.
A Transport and Main Roads spokesperson said the department and council had investigated installing pedestrian signals that did not interfere with business access, the operation of the roundabout and bus stops.
“The most suitable location identified was not close to the Shore Street West and Wellington Street intersection meaning pedestrians would be less likely to use the facility,” the spokesperson said.
“Due to this departmental and council officers decided not to continue to pursue this investigation any further.”
The spokesperson said a 2015 study found no traffic safety issues.
“While the roundabout traffic may have increased due to development and growth recently, it is still operating adequately with no particular increase in safety issues.”
Last month federal MP Andrew Laming said he would return a promised $3.5 million for an upgrade of the intersection to Canberra when Minister Mark Bailey said the roundabout was adequate.
