A GAWLER East resident has raised concerns about a “total lack” of pedestrian access along Calton Road between Cheek and Sunnydale avenues.

Michael Ramsey – who lives on Lally Drive – frequently walks the area across from the Springwood Estate development and says restricted access and the absence of a permanent footpath is creating public safety issues.

“What little access pedestrians and ratepayers have made to join up with Melaleuca Drive – to avoid the road verge along busy Calton Road – has never received any attention from Gawler Council,” Mr Ramsey alleged.

“Many people exercise along this stretch, women walk with prams, school children ride their bikes to the Cheek Avenue school, and others walk their dogs.

“But during the wet weather the track becomes a muddy mess and is a real safety issue.

“I’ve lived here for 10 years and like living here, but it seems the council has left it to be forgotten.”

Mr Ramsey also expressed frustration that a mound of earth had been dumped on the makeshift path – blocking pedestrian access.

However, after The Bunyip contacted Gawler Council for comment, Mayor Karen Redman said the mound had been removed.

“Council has removed the mound as it had been illegally dumped there and is not associated with the roadworks in the area,” she said.

“If the community is aware of any illegal dumping then they should phone council to report it.”

In response to Mr Ramsey’s concerns, Ms Redman said council had previously identified the area as in need of upgrades, however, the timing is unknown.

“Council has identified a number of ‘traffic interventions’ (ie. infrastructure upgrades) that will need to be delivered in the long-term in Gawler East to improve local infrastructure and facilitate the expected future traffic volumes associated with the rate of development in Gawler East,” she said.

“One of these traffic interventions, previously identified by council, is the upgrade of Calton Road between Cheek Avenue and Mullamar Way (which is the new road joining onto Calton Road).

“It is expected footpaths and other associated road infrastructure would be considered as part of the future planned upgrade of Calton Road in this vicinity.

“The timing of this is linked to the rate of development, so there is no exact time frame set currently.”

Although, as part of the Gawler East Link Road works undertaken by the State Government, Ms Redman said a pedestrian path is being installed on the eastern side of the Mullamar Way.

Kerb ramps will also be installed at the roundabout of Mullamar Way and Calton Road.

Mr Ramsey said Gawler Council was “asleep at the wheel” and criticised the Potts Road deviation planning.

“The State Government, Gawler Council and the developers distributed so-called newsletters extoling the benefits of the Potts Road deviation, including ‘improved pedestrian access’ along Calton Road,” he said.

“This is yet another empty political promise without any action.”

Meanwhile, after several months of closure, the Phillips Avenue entrance way was reopened to traffic last week following the completion of roadworks.