Push for safer crossing

ILLAWARRA residents have been pleading with the council to implement a pedestrian crossing in Albion Park for more than a year.

Sixty-two-year-old Gloria Sault holds the belief that the council is not doing enough to accommodate pedestrians along Russell St.

She has written a letter to the council, which has rejected the proposal due to a lack of funding.

"I'm really annoyed about this," Ms Sault said.

"All I want is a zebra crossing, just a little bit of paint."

The area is host to several public services, including a swimming pool, skate park, library, shopping centre and community centre for the elderly.

The problem is only going to intensify in summer with residents increasing their use of these facilities, according to Ms Sault.

"My concern is for the elderly and young children," Ms Sault said.

"Some have no road sense, they just dart out onto the road."

Mrs Sault said she was afraid an accident would occur before the council realised the need for the pedestrian crossing.

"In the future they'll have to do something about it," she said.

"They are waiting for something to happen before they take action."

The area is growing in leaps and bounds with more houses being developed in the area raising traffic levels and increasing the problem of trying to cross the road, Mrs Sault said.

Councillor Geoff Rose has supported the resident's plea and agrees there is definitely a need for some kind of refuge.

Mr Rose has taken the issue to council several times beginning in October last year.

"Safety should come before someone gets hurt," Mr Rose said.

"The safety of these people

is more important than the dollars."

Councillor Rose raised the issue at the last council meeting on August 14, however, while the provision of the crossing was discussed, funding has still not been allocated.

"I'll just keep driving the wedge and see what I come up with," he said.

"Safety is a certainly a priority of this council and myself."