Harleys Road and Ormes Road which intersect at the Kilpauk Garden Road junction have a few things in common. Both were re-laid recently and provided with a wide concrete-tiled footpath, LED streetlights and a one-way traffic arrangement.
At the same time, these roads have a striking dissimilarity. Illegal parking is rarely reported from Ormes Road. In contrast, the issue is ever present on Harleys Road. Reason: Lack of boulders to prevent vehicle owners from parking on the wide footpath. Ormes Road has boulders on its footpath, except at the entrances of houses along the narrow stretch.
“We are unable to use the wide footpath on Harleys Road because of illegal parking of vehicles and dumping of construction material on the pavement. We are forced to walk in the carriageway, risking our lives, as motorists are known to speed on this road,” says V. Sowmiya, a resident of Kilpauk.
The wide concrete footpaths on the two roads were re-laid as part of restoration of civic facilities that were damaged in cyclone Vardah. Residents said motorists coming from Anna Nagar, Ayanavaram and Kilpauk got struck near Kilpauk Garden Road intersection as vehicles visiting the two schools nearby were parked along the stretch.
Once motorists cross these schools, they speed taking advantage of the broad intersection. As these key stretches connect several neighbourhoods including Purasawalkam, Kellys, Kilpauk, Doveton, Anna Nagar, Permabur, Vepery, Ayanavaram with the rest of the city via Poonamallee High (PH) Road, they are widely used by motorists.
Corporation officials say unlike the narrow Ormes Road where boulders are necessary to prevent parking on pavement, Harleys Road is wide enough and vehicles can be parked along the road without obstructing traffic flow.
Pedestrians can also use the new wide footpath as the main carriageway has adequate space for parking in front of commercial establishments. However, visitors to these establishments find it easy to park their vehicles on the new footpath taking advantage of the low height of the pavement.
Further, construction material, debris and garbage have been dumped on the footpath along Harleys Road, forcing pedestrians to walk in the carriageway.
Civic officials say the footpath on Harleys Road has been constructed at a low height to help senior citizens and children access it. “Steps will be taken to prevent misuse of the new footpath. Installation of boulders will also be considered,” said a Corporation official.
