Residents of west Orange have called for a footpath along The Escort Way at The Poplars Estate.
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Melanie McDonell said parents pushing prams, children riding bicycles and people walking their dogs were forced to walk on the busy road.
She said they had to look out for trucks, buses and cars heading down the hill to Orange.
"It doesn't feel safe. I avoid the road as much as possible," she said.
"A lot of cars and trucks coming into town are speeding. There are so many walkers and bike riders and families who go for walks, people who walk their dogs. There would be hundreds of people there."
Ms McDonell said walking with children, or trying to cross the road, was fraught with danger.
There are so many walkers and bike riders and families who go for walks, people who walk their dogs.
- Melanie McDonell, resident
She said the footpath should be built along the roadside where the suburbs existed on The Escort Way with more needed in the adjacent Poplars and Orchard Hills housing estates.
Ms McDonell said the footpaths should have been installed when the area was developed. "I thought it would have been standard it would have footpaths," she said.
She said it did not encourage people to exercise.
Another resident Bruno Belmonte said it was dangerous.
"You can't help cringing when you see how close they [walkers] are to a busy road," he said.
LOCATION: The Escort Way in west Orange
"With the last asphalt footpaths ending at Duntryleague Golf Club most people end up walking on the road.
"Once you get to The Escort Way forget walking along the nature strip because it's bumpy, rocky or boggy.
"I see on a daily basis joggers, children, even parents with prams walking along the road."
The need for a footpath alongside the road is growing as the amount of housing increases.
- Nick Redmond, Orange City Council
Mr Belmonte said the planned construction of a domestic violence crisis centre near the intersection of Ploughmans Lane and The Escort Way would increase the need for "safe, sealed footpaths".
Orange City Council spokesman Nick Redmond said council recognised the need for a footpath.
"The section of Escort Way west of Ploughmans Lane is a former rural road that is gradually becoming more urbanised. The need for a footpath alongside the road is growing as the amount of housing increases," he said.
Mr Redmond said council had built a pedestrian bridge and paths on the eastern side of Ploughmans Lane.
"On the northern side of the Escort Way there is a pedestrian underpass path, under the bypass," he said.
"The recent upgrade of Cargo Road shows the approach the council is taking to former rural roads such as this. As well as widening Cargo Road, a footpath is now part of the overall package.
"Orange City Council has plans to build a roundabout at the corner of Ploughmans and the bypass. While that project is yet to be awarded a grant or be given a funding priority , footpaths would be a key element of the roundabout design."
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