ROAD GANG: Locals wonder why council staff are constructing a pathway on Fishery Point Road, Bonnells Bay, where a footpath already existed. Picture: David Stewart
AT first glance, it appears that a healthy footpath is being ripped up and replaced unnecessarily on Fishery Point Road, at Bonnells Bay.
At least that's the view of locals who have questioned the Lakes Mail about the matter in recent weeks.
Among the concerned residents was Mike Hardie, of Bonnells Bay, who said:
"It appears to me the ripping up and replacement of a perfectly serviceable footpath... is a complete waste of money."
A spokesperson for Lake Macquarie City Council told the Lakes Mail there was a reason for the works.
"To improve accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists on the Morisset Peninsula, council is in the process of installing approximately 2.3km of shared pathway on Fishery Point Road," the spokesperson said.
"The works will incorporate the replacement of the existing 1.2m wide concrete footpath with a 2.5m wide concrete shared pathway, with some additional new work extending to the intersection of Fishery Point Road and Morisset Park Road."
The wider pathway would permit cyclists and pedestrians to pass safely.
Weather permitting, the work should be completed by July.
Mr Hardie said he would much prefer that council allocate funding for the construction of a passing lane for traffic on Fishery Point Road.
"Being in a queue and stuck behind a vehicle doing 40kph in a 70kph zone is frustrating to say the least and leads to some younger and not-so-young drivers tailgating and ignoring the double-line rule," he said.