Call for crossing on ‘dangerous roads’
RESIDENTS in Mount Vernon are putting pressure on the council to install a pedestrian crossing to stop locals from having to “take their life in their hands”.
The four-road intersection beside the train station currently has no safe means of crossing and campaigners have had enough.
At present, two lanes of traffic come together from Hamilton Road in two directions, as well as from London Road and Mount Vernon Avenue.
Lesley Pollock, a commuter who regularly uses the station, has started a social media campaign and petition to get a crossing installed.
She said: “The main problem is that it’s an extremely wide and large junction with no pedestrian crossing, one of the lanes you can’t even see.
“People with children find it difficult and it would be nearly impossible for an elderly or disabled person to cross at all.
“A few people have had near misses, but this is a case of sheer luck. It’s like a game of chicken, we shouldn’t have to wait until someone is hurt before something is done.
“Crossings at Mount Vernon Avenue and Hamilton Road are a must as they are so busy, something must change.”
Since re-opening in 1993, Mount Vernon train station has seen passenger number almost double, with a 20-year increase of 70% seeing more than 60,000 people use the station last year.
Bailie Anne Simpson, a council- lor for Shettleston, has previously written to officials to ask for the traffic signals to be refurbished.
However, she was told that the project will have to wait for funds to become available.
Bailie Simpson said: “Twice I have put this forward for assessment as I do feel it’s a very busy line of traffic but there are other areas of the ward that are busy.
“I have Tollcross Road and Mount Vernon Avenue and I will push for development of both in the next financial year.”
On the response from both Bailie Simpson and others in the local area, Miss Pollock said she was happy with how the push has started. She said: “I’m so delighted that people have supported it so quickly. It’s important we stand together and fight this before an accident happens.”