Editor: I happened to miss the article (The Times, Jan. 12) about the fence to stop pedestrians from jaywalking on Fraser Higheway, but I have heard about it from many people.

I have walked to work for almost 12 years from the Murrayville area to the hospital. I used to rollerblade but due to the poor conditions on the sidewalks and trails to and from the hospital, I鈥檝e stopped. I felt I was in a roller derby with the traffic, and there is no respect for the pedestrian, cyclist or anyone who is not in a motor vehicle.

The traffic lights at 222 Street do nothing to ensure my safety. The terrain goes from rocky and broken up asphalt to a wooden bridge behind the Blair pool to an area by the fire station that has been closed a number of times in the past few years.

No notice of closure is ever given until you arrive on that pathway. I will not use the trail area by Blair Pool area, as there are no bike lanes.

Walking to work is another challenge, yet I鈥檓 being asked not to jaywalk. Where would you like me to walk so that I鈥檓 safe? I鈥檓 always dodging traffic. It鈥檚 pitch dark and again I have to go to 222 Street, which I fear crossing at any time. There are speeding vehicles, left turners, right turners with no patience and other problems.

I hate the intersection at 222 Street and Fraser Highway and the crosswalk from the Blair pool area to Murrayville Centre. Drivers are annoyed that we are there.

This has all been caused by Fraser Highway and 222 Street expanding, with no bike lanes and no sensitivity to pedestrians.

Poor planning is causing these problems. One little crosswalk is not the solution.

If I try to walk on 221 Street, dodging traffic from Fraser Highway, then I get to a trail that goes in front of Blair Pool. It鈥檚 pitch dark and we have no warning that there is a wooden bridge with a change of terrain. There is all kinds of interesting activity going on back there.

Then I cross the infamous 222 Street intersection. If I survive, now I enter another dark and wet area as I try to make my way to LMH. Again I come across signs of interesting activity. I cannot wait to get to work inside walls where I will feel safe.

But I cannot access any of those areas from the back trails. Now I have to walk around to the front and be splashed by the traffic from the highway and traffic racing into the hospital grounds.

I carry a flashlight and I have done everything to make myself visible when I鈥檓 out there walking to and from work, or even in the Murrayville area. It is very sad to hear that jay walkers have caused this recent problem.

I blame it on poor planning. As far as I鈥檓 concerned, the only issue that was considered by the Township was moving motor vehicles faster down Fraser Highway and other roads in the Murrayville area.

We keep hearing we should get out of our cars, yet everything I have experienced in walking to work will force me to get into my car.

Cindy Gagne,

Murrayville