Grass next to Maitland Road at Sandgate gets so long people have to walk on the busy road to get past.

Maitland Road couple Colin and June Keith said they have witnessed some horrific accidents on Maitland Road and were worri-ed someone will get run over by walking on the road instead of the path way.

Mr Keith said he has had to ring Newcastle City Council to come and cut the grass when it gets too long.

But Mr Keith said he was becoming tired of requesting the grass be mowed.

“I don’t think I should have to remind them to come and cut the grass, but if I don’t tell them, then it doesn’t get cut and no one walks on it,” Mr Keith said.

Concerned about pedestrian safety, Mr Keith aired his views to Newcastle councillors at a ward four community meeting last Tues-day, February 16.

He asked council if it could possibly spray the pathway to kill the grass.

“I want it sprayed, so it’s useable, that also means council workers won’t need to come out all the time to mow it.”

A Newcastle City Council spokesperson said it was usual council practice to mow the pathway on Maitland Road.

The spokesperson said poisoning the grass could cause dust and other issues.

Mr Keith also requested council ask the Roads and Traffic Authority to lower the Maitland Road speed limit from 80 kilometres an hour to 60 kph.

“The cars speed down this road all the time, it’s too dangerous for anyone to cross or walk near.”

A Roads and Traffic Authority spokesper-son said the 80kph speed limit was approp-riate for Maitland Road according to the NSW Speed Zoning Guidelines.

“Maitland Road at Sandgate has several safety features such as traffic lights, speed cameras at Iron Bark Creek, and wire rope and steel barriers at several locations.”