Footpaths: who cares?

Thanks all for the feedback. Nice to know that someone has read the Facebook page, at least as far as the broken link (which I’ve now fixed).

I can just imagine what Mayor Ratten would say “Oi peeps listen up we’re a bit short on cashola coz Simon needs a motzaload for his train so walk on the grass coz it doesn’t hurt like buggery when ya fall”

I humbly apologise for not attending a meeting I did not know was on.

JC said :

What should you do? My guess is get a life. Cruel I know, but the fact you are the only one that gives a rats speaks volumes to me.

Nastee!

If we just watch things deteriorate, we may just end up with all local streets being 25kmh shared zones.

GardeningGirl said :

p1 said :

Did you get a quorum?

For many years I have seen the handy work of the guys that go ’round and grind smooth the parts of footpaths where tree roots (or whatever) have caused there to be uneven blocky steps. I always though it was a pretty serious waste of time and money for all involved. Until a few months back when I was out walking the little one, and a few moments after passing, and chatting briefly with a couple of old ducks, heard a sickening thump/whack, and turned to see the (probably 70ish) lady picking herself up from where she had tripped over one of those uneven bits. The bruising was coming out on her whole face after about a minute. So advocating for government to continue funding the upkeep of our footpaths, and the best allocation of that funding is actually important.

I’m not joining Living Streets Canberra myself though, but I am glad there are people out there like Leon with nothing better to do.

That’s a valid example of why we should care. I have also heard of elderly people having problems in older suburbs when the autumn leaves build up over the paths, especially in wet weather. For people who don’t drive and therefore are more likely to be walking round the suburbs, to the shops or to the bus stop or wherever, and whose mobility, eyesight and ability to recover from bumps and bruises isn’t what it used to be, the state of the footpaths is important. Even young-uns aren’t immune. Many years ago I caught my heel (fairly low sensible walking shoes) in a small gap and almost took a tumble and only my youthful gymnastic agility saved me from landing in a heap.

Btw sorry, I hadn’t heard of Living Streets Canberra either.

Its not just old people who have problems with the footpaths and leaves. I regularly walked Hackett to Civic with a siginifcant proportion along officer cresent last year. I walked a bit less around the time the leaves were falling due to the leaves. It was generally easier to walk on the nature strip rather than the footpath as the majority of the leaves seemed to pile up on the foothpaths…

What should you do? My guess is get a life. Cruel I know, but the fact you are the only one that gives a rats speaks volumes to me.

KB1971 said :

“I was the only person to turn up at last weeks Living Streets Canberra Annual General Meeting.”

What, even Harold Scruby didnt show?

No, he’s out for a shin injury which he sustained from the towball of a parked car he was chasing.

p1 said :

Did you get a quorum?

For many years I have seen the handy work of the guys that go ’round and grind smooth the parts of footpaths where tree roots (or whatever) have caused there to be uneven blocky steps. I always though it was a pretty serious waste of time and money for all involved. Until a few months back when I was out walking the little one, and a few moments after passing, and chatting briefly with a couple of old ducks, heard a sickening thump/whack, and turned to see the (probably 70ish) lady picking herself up from where she had tripped over one of those uneven bits. The bruising was coming out on her whole face after about a minute. So advocating for government to continue funding the upkeep of our footpaths, and the best allocation of that funding is actually important.

I’m not joining Living Streets Canberra myself though, but I am glad there are people out there like Leon with nothing better to do.

That’s a valid example of why we should care. I have also heard of elderly people having problems in older suburbs when the autumn leaves build up over the paths, especially in wet weather. For people who don’t drive and therefore are more likely to be walking round the suburbs, to the shops or to the bus stop or wherever, and whose mobility, eyesight and ability to recover from bumps and bruises isn’t what it used to be, the state of the footpaths is important. Even young-uns aren’t immune. Many years ago I caught my heel (fairly low sensible walking shoes) in a small gap and almost took a tumble and only my youthful gymnastic agility saved me from landing in a heap.

Btw sorry, I hadn’t heard of Living Streets Canberra either.

“I was the only person to turn up at last weeks Living Streets Canberra Annual General Meeting.”

What, even Harlod Scruby didnt show?

You have a facebook page that says it’s “no longer updated” and directs you to a broken weblink. If I were you, I would start with a decent online presence, including regular use of twitter, RiotACT (where applicable) and facebook. It will help raise the profile of both the organisation and the issues on which you wish to apply pressure.

Good luck!