We would like to inform the community to be aware of a potentially dangerous “Step” at both the “Southern” and “Northern” stairs that provide the only means of pedestrian access to the upper levels of parking at the new Pittwater Council car park in Bungan Lane at Mona Vale after hearing that an elderly gentleman had a bad fall here.
SOUTHERN ACCESS STAIRS
SOUTHERN ACCESS STAIRS
At the “Southern Stairs” as you open the door to exit the car park there is an unusual situation that you must “Step Up” to gain access to the public footpath in Bungan Lane.
The step has been measured to be 180mm high. This could potentially be a bad trip point when leaving the public car park if not aware of the step.
It also results in a “Step Down” on the return visit to enter the public car park and could promote a bad fall point.
It also results in a “Step Down” on the return visit to enter the public car park and could promote a bad fall point.
The strip of white tape that has been installed to the top of the step blends in with the almost white appearance of the concrete and is very hard to see. From this view it looks like it is just a straight walk to the entry door with no step.
There is a sign on the door “Caution Step Outside Door” on both the inside and outside, but this may not always be seen or understood by people especially those in our community who cannot read English or have poor eyesight.
There is a sign on the door “Caution Step Outside Door” on both the inside and outside, but this may not always be seen or understood by people especially those in our community who cannot read English or have poor eyesight.
NORTHERN ACCESS STAIRS
At the “Northern Stairs” as you open the door to exit the car park one would expect to just keep walking, however you will be unexpectedly confronted with an even more unusual situation in that you must immediately “Step Down” before you exit the car park to gain access to the public footpath in Bungan Lane.
The step has been measured to be 175mm high. This could potentially be a bad fall point when leaving the car park if not aware of it.
It also results in a “Step Up” on the return visit to enter the public car park and could promote a bad trip point.
It is considered this issue at the northern stairs is an even more dangerous situation than the southern stairs as a person must become aware of the step down before stepping out through the exit door otherwise the 175mm drop is quite alarming and dangerous.
It is a further concern that there is NO SIGN on the door “Caution Step Outside Door” either on the inside or outside to warn the community of this, yet there are signs at the southern stairs where the danger is not immediately at the door when opening.
Photos below show no warning is given.
It also results in a “Step Up” on the return visit to enter the public car park and could promote a bad trip point.
It is considered this issue at the northern stairs is an even more dangerous situation than the southern stairs as a person must become aware of the step down before stepping out through the exit door otherwise the 175mm drop is quite alarming and dangerous.
It is a further concern that there is NO SIGN on the door “Caution Step Outside Door” either on the inside or outside to warn the community of this, yet there are signs at the southern stairs where the danger is not immediately at the door when opening.
Photos below show no warning is given.
For a brand new public building to have situations like this at the pedestrian entry / exit points is concerning but we hope that by posting this on our website it may alert the community to these issues and avoid a twisted ankle or any more nasty falls.