MY mother fell recently while crossing the slip road by the Co-op at Whitecross roundabout in Hereford.

She was very shaken but thankfully, apart from badly battered knees, was OK.

I would like to say a massive thank-you to the lady in the newsagent who came to my mother’s aid and found her a chair in the shop until someone could get me to come and fetch her.

I wonder what it needs before someone will pay any attention to the dangerous crossing at this group of shops.

My mother is always on at the council to get the bushes cut back (which they do when she pesters them) so that visibility is not impaired. A white line has been painted by the drop-kerb to stop vehicles from parking and to allow a safe place for pedestrians to cross, but this has never been effective.

At the moment the white line has faded so it is hardly visible.

Again, my mother has been in contact with the appropriate departments about this and has also spoken to the local councillor on more than one occasion.

In addition, the refurbishment works to the Co-op have led to additional contractor vehicles being parked, and the whole area has been a disaster zone for pedestrians attempting to cross safely.

My mother knew there was an accident waiting to happen. Unfortunately it was her.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out that a simple yellow hatched area would be a clear indication for vehicles not to park where the drop kerb/crossing area is.

A white line just isn’t sufficient.

What makes it worse is that a month or so ago Whitecross Road was resurfaced – surely it wouldn’t have taken any time or effort to go a few extra metres up the road and re-mark the crossing area.

This group of shops is used regularly by schoolchildren and there are many elderly residents who live nearby.

I have an awful feeling that it will take a fatality before anything is done about this dangerous crossing.

I sincerely hope I am wrong.

NAME SUPPLIED HEREFORD