Fury at horror pathway
FED- UP Flinders St business owners have dubbed a city footpath “Frankenpath” because of its ugly, patched- up appearance.
They say the footpath extending from the corner of Fletcher and Flinders streets is a substandard, random patch- up of bitumen that has “uglified” the city.
Lawyer Evan Sarinas, from Sarinas Law, dubbed the stretch of footpath Frankenpath because of its similarities to the face of the fictitious Frankenstein’s monster.
“Cracks, depressions and undulations have formed,” Mr Sarinas said.
“If not remedied soon, the Frankenpath may become a tourist attraction – for all the wrong reasons.”
Mr Sarinas has been writing to Townsville City Council since March, complaining about the footpath and its hazardous conditions but said the one reply has not solved the problem.
Division 9’ s Cr Colleen Doyle told Mr Sarinas she had no power in her own right to fix the problem.
“As much as I would like to change the order of priority for these works, as I’m sure all councillors would,” she said.
Mr Sarinas would like to see the area paved with tiles, consistent with other parts of the CBD.
“It makes sense to rectify this with new paving while the existing footpath works elsewhere are being completed,” he said. Mr Sarinas said it would be a cost- effective way to fix the problem.
“It beggars belief that they find difficulty with the solution,” he said.
“Bitumen footpaths are ugly and inconsistent with council’s so- called 20/ 20 vision for the city.
“Serious forward thinking local authorities would recognise this and beautify their city centre in extraordinary ways.”
Cr Doyle said the footpath upgrade was funded in this year’s budget and the work would be completed by the end of the calendar year.
“Council inspectors have examined the condition of the footpath and crews will also be sent out to the corner of Flinders and Fletcher streets shortly to do any necessary work to improve safety,” she said.
“I understand the concerns of local businesses in the area about the condition of the footpath and that’s why I fought so hard to ensure the funding to fix it was included the budget.”
Reid M. Jackson, from Re- gional Manufacturing Jewellers on Flinders St, would love to have the footpath rectified because it was “terrible and dangerous”.
“It is supposed to be wheelchair accessible but it’s not. It’s too dangerous for wheels,” he said.
Hannah Leith, from Kwik Copy on nearby Fletcher Street, said they had clients who tripped on their way into the shop and even had a woman break her shoe on the Frankenpath.