Disabled woman lives in fear of crossing road

A DISABLED woman in Crows Nest is in fear for her life every time she crosses the road.

A DISABLED woman in Crows Nest is in fear for her life every time she crosses the road.

Maureen Goodall is one of many residents annoyed at the Department of Transport and Main Roads after it removed safety lights at a pedestrian crossing on the New England Hwy.

Ms Goodall crosses the road regularly and said the removal of the lights had caused confusion.

The town was often cloaked in thick fog and the removal of the lights had put lives at risk, Ms Goodall said.

The solar powered pedestrian crossing warning lights were installed as part of a trial and line marking leading improved.

But their removal came as a shock to parts of the community.

Ms Goodall said as a disabled person, she could only cross the road slowly.

"People will speed, they won't slow down and lives are at risk," she said.

"There are people with prams, babies and school children, not just old people."

She's not alone with her concerns and a town meeting was held recently.

Gary Johnson, a truck driver, said the region paid a lot in taxes and deserved its fair share of road safety infrastructure.

He called for Toowoomba Regional Council to lobby on behalf of the residents.

"The pedestrian crossing is at a massive blind spot and is a big safety concern," he said.

A Transport and Main Roads spokesperson said after reviewing the trial of the flashing lights and consulting with stakeholders - including police - it was determined they weren't the most effective measure for safety at that location.

"We improved the line marking and since then have continued to talk with the community and police - including at a meeting last week - to come up with further safety measures to alert drivers to the pedestrian crossing."

The department said safety was its highest priority and that it would inform the community once any further safety measures were finalised, expected to be within two weeks.

Originally published as Disabled woman lives in fear of crossing road