By BEN CAMERON
A PAKENHAM mother has called for a safer way to cross Racecourse Road.
It comes after local quadriplegic Rick Crowe called on Public Transport Victoria to improve access at the Racecourse Road level crossing earlier this month in the Pakenham News.
Mother of one Gaudi Parsons said she had to cross the road each week to access a playgroup at Barrington Drive.
“There are no road crossings all along Racecourse Road from Bald Hill Road up to the Princess Highway,” she said.
“I have to run across the road with my pram when the road is clear. Another mum from my playgroup does the same.
“Not only is the Racecourse Road and Bald Hill Road intersection unsafe for the disabled, but also for kids and mums.
“And it’s worth considering a couple of pedestrian crossings along Racecourse Road because there’s not a single one until you hit the highway.”
She said it was a similar story whenever she had her car serviced at a Bald Hill Road mechanics.
“Every time we drop the car off we have to walk over the railway line so as to come back to Pakenham,” she said.
“If we have my son with us, we have to fold the pram and physically carry it across the rail tracks while one of us carries him across the tracks.
“All because there are no lights or pedestrian railway crossing.”
However Mrs Parsons may not have to wait long for a crossing, with the Ascot development progressing along Racecourse Road.
Aidan McGann, VicRoads Metro South East Regional Director said a signalised intersection would be complete by the end of the year at Azola Drive and Henry Street.
“We always welcome community feedback which is important for us to improve road safety across the eastern and wider suburbs,” he said.
“The community will be familiar with a new housing estate that is being established on Racecourse Road and as part of this a signalised intersection at Azola Drive and Henry Street will allow pedestrians to safely cross the road.”
