By BEN CAMERON
Plea to improve safety in ‘neglected part of town’…
A HANDICAPPED Pakenham man has called for better access and improved safety at one of the town’s busiest level crossings.
Rick Crowe was injured in a freak jumping castle accident in December 2012, and the father of one has called on the State Government and relevant agencies to improve access for pedestrians when crossing Racecourse Road, in what he describes as the “neglected part of town”.
“There is no way to get across the railway crossing without getting on the road,” he said.
“It’s not very safe.
“We also use a play centre in Bald Hill Road and there are no footpaths. If the weather is bad we have to use the road too.
“In and around Main Street where it meets John Street, it can be really steep to get across in your wheelchair.
“And in and around the train station, and the other side of the train station (is difficult). There’s a lot of gravel, it’s very poor access for disabled people.”
While he thought access was first class around the emerging shopping precinct in Lakeside, the older areas of Pakenham were hard work for people with disability issues.
“They’ve forgotten about the older end of town,” he said.
“It’s a neglected part of town, especially around Racecourse Road.”
Public Transport Victoria did not respond to the Gazette’s request for a comment.
Disabled people with access issues are encouraged to join a monthly Pakenham advisory group.
The Cardinia Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee meet the third Wednesday of every month at Services Central.
For more information call 1300 787 624.
