RESIDENTS at a Bournemouth home park are risking their lives every day to get to their local shops.

That's the claim of David Buckle, chairman of Bournemouth Park Home Residents' Association.

Mr Buckle, who lives at Iford Bridge home park, will be urging civic chiefs tomorrow to carry out much-needed repairs to a zebra crossing at Iford roundabout.

In a deputation to the full council, Mr Buckle will describe the state of the crossing as "disgraceful".

His said: "One lady at the home park is registered blind and a blind man lives in Old Bridge Road.

"Other elderly residents in the area use walking aids.

"Due to the unevenness of the surface of the crossing, even the able-bodied cross the road with apprehension.

"There is also only one traffic sign indicating the crossing and that's in Castle Lane West."

Mr Buckle claims the council promised to carry out the repairs in 2002.

In a letter sent to every councillor, he said: "I consider the hazardous trip points on the crossing to be a major Health and Safety issue for people with impaired sight and those who use a walking aid.

"If these trip points were in a workplace or an enclosed public place there would be severe repercussions."

Mr Buckle said he had heard that a planned "grandiose scheme" for Iford roundabout would incorporate the zebra crossing.

"The elderly who use the crossing are not interested in grandiose schemes," he added.

"They do not want to surf between the town's two piers or squander their meagre pensions on Bournemouth's night-time economy or the proposed casino.

"All they require is safe passage to their local shops at Castle Parade."

Roger Ball, Bournemouth borough council's head of technical services, said: "We are aware that the zebra crossing in Iford is in need of repair and are currently looking at how best to carry out these repairs as quickly as possible.

"We plan to carry out any works at night to minimise traffic congestion in the area."