EDITH Gray takes her life in her hands every time she attempts to cross Main Western Road from her home at Roslyn Lodge to IGA for cat food and chocolate.
Watching her navigate the busy roundabout on her walker is quite terrifying.
Edith’s sister, Elizabeth Machpherson, has spent years petitioning all levels of government to have a safe crossing put in.
“She has physical and mental health issues, plus aging issues so crossing is a problem. She has a walker and a bung ankle,” Elizabeth said of Edith, who is in her 70s.
“Politicians just brush us off. We keep trying but keep getting brushed off. If my sister got run over, then would it be important?,” she questioned.
“It’s been an issue for years, but nobody has been able to come up with a solution, meantime my sister gets into trouble every time she tries to cross the road. I even bought her a high vis vest, but she won’t wear it.”
Elizabeth said recently Edith tried crossing further up from outside the doctor’s surgery, but the extra-long walk exhausted her and Edith returned saying it was too tiring.
“We are not saying a crossing is the answer we are just looking for a solution,” Elizabeth said.
Roslyn Lodge lifestyle coordinator Mel Tape said there are four residents who are able to independently cross regularly on their own and three more who would if they felt it was safe.
“Even for staff it is hard, we like to support the local businesses, we take the residents to the dentist and optometrist, and some are in wheelchairs. It can be quite difficult without a crossing trying to coordinate the traffic and even find a safe space with the guttering and a wheelchair,” she said.
Mel said they regularly have members of the public come in expressing their concern after watching residents of the lodge trying to cross.
“We want to encourage them to be part of the community and not lose their independence and their ability to go out and interact with the community,” she said.
Roslyn Lodge supported a petition with over 180 signatures which was sent to Jon Krause, Member for Scenic Rim last year.
Mr Krause said he had been taking this issue to the State Government for some time now.
“The Department of Transport and Main Roads is investigating how to improve pedestrian safety, including potential pedestrian crossing sites, as a direct result of my advocacy and the community’s petition taken up last year, which I presented to the department,” Mr Krause said.
“Since that time, whilst the department’s work is ongoing, further concerns have been raised about pedestrian safety in the vicinity of this shopping precinct.”
A spokesperson for TMR said investigations have been undertaken and are ongoing to determine a suitable pedestrian crossing location on Main Western Road, Mount Tamborine.
Preliminary planning is expected to be complete at the end of this year.
