A footpath to disaster

By Jade Lawton
TRADERS in Pakenham’s Station Street are calling for action after a 93-year-old woman tripped and fell face-first on the uneven footpath.
Eve Conroy fell on her way to the bus stop after visiting her daughter, Vicki Ferrari-Mostert at Fishtales Bait & Tackle, last Tuesday.
She was left with a cut above her eye and a severely bruised face – although her daughter feared it could have been much worse.
“I came out and saw my mum crumpled on the ground. I thought she’d done her leg or her hip,” Ms Ferrari-Mostert said.
“She negotiates steps all the time and walks without a walker. She’s quite able.”
Ms Ferrari-Mostert said the footpath was uneven and needed the same treatment as Main Street.
“It’s very uneven at the moment. It’s old. I watch the elderly people walk up it from the bus stop, and I’ve seen two vision-impaired people get off the train and try and negotiate the street. Something needs to be done.”
Mrs Conroy is now recovering well, but is still bruised.
A Cardinia Shire Council spokesman said council was aware of the incident and had been to the site to assess the footpath.
“The footpath meets all of council’s requirements and at this stage there is no plan for works to be conducted in the immediate future. Works have previously occurred in this area with footpaths being grinded down,” he said.
“Council is committed to maintaining pedestrian safety and traffic flow on shopping strips.
“Significant funding is invested each year to both new footpaths and maintenance of existing paths.”
But traders are not convinced, with Repco’s Dee Gullick backing Ms Ferrari-Mostart in her efforts to get the street fixed.
“Since it’s been blocked off at the back, it’s causing dreadful dramas,” she said.
And Lynne Zammit, from disability employee service Paramount, said some of her clients found access difficult.
“The footpath really does need to be addressed,” she said.
“They’ve taken away the disabled parking (in Treloar Lane) and they haven’t compensated for it – behind the post office are the nearest spots. It’s really hard for them.”