Moves to tackle a dangerous footpath in Randwick

I attended a site meeting today regarding the unofficial footpath that comes out opposite the Randwick Scout Hut (next to Cashes Green School) on Cashes Green Road.

Photo: Richard Huxford, Randwick Parish Chair with Highways officer looking at the unofficial footpath - below other views of path

The official footpath in fact runs parallel to the road for a stretch, but to cut off a significant corner children and adults go under the rail and down a steep slope to join the footway adjacent to the road and opposite the Scout Hut.

Several attempts have been made previously to stop pedestrians cutting off the corner but these have been vandalised - the most recent being a wire fence that has been pulled down. It is the view of myself and Randwick Parish Council that action is needed as the current situation is dangerous. The slope is used by a large number of people coming to the schools and playground - it is steep and when icy or wet leads to people slipping into the path of traffic on the road. This has been witnessed occurring on several occasions.

The Parish have written letters but not had any joy and strictly speaking the footpath is not in my ward - but it is near and residents of my ward use that path - so I also wrote last week - and was able to set up a meeting today with Highways.

The Parish and myself are seeking that the slope be made into a proper path or steps - these could be at an angle to the road to prevent people coming down directly onto the road.

Highways note there is a perfectly good path - with disabled access - so therefore they do not need to act to make a new path - indeed if they do any action they would consider reblocking the cut through to reduce the dangers - although they note that this would likely be vandalised like previous attempts to cut off that route. However Highways have agreed to look at possible costs and possible schemes - it might be that monies can be found from other sources to help pay for the path. We await with interest the next step in improving this situation - and in the meantime hope no one gets hurt on that slippery slope.

I am also of the view that more bulb planting is needed on these verges - I raised this a while back and know the Parish are considering it.