Gran bids to close dangerous underpass

A GRANDMOTHER who had her head smashed against a wall by two muggers who tried to steal a bag of clothes has launched a petition to close down the dangerous underpass where she was attacked.

Patricia Thomson was assaulted in broad daylight by the men as she walked through the underpass beneath Wester Hailes Road on 15 February.

The 48-year-old has now launched a bid to close down the underpass and has already collected nearly 500 signatures.

Ms Thomson said she hoped the campaign would persuade council chiefs to replace the shortcut at the top of Harvesters Way with a pelican crossing. She said the ordeal had left her a "prisoner in her own home".

It is a latest in a series of incidents in underpasses in the area which have been plagued by muggers, drug users and antisocial behaviour in recent years.

Ms Thomson has already had meetings with local councillors Ricky Henderson and Alastair Paisley in an effort to gain their support for her fight.

She said: "I've collected around 200 signatures from going door to door in the area.

"I've had to go out with my daughter because I'm too frightened to be out by myself.

"I've also got another 270 signatures on my Facebook page where I've also put the petition.

"I've had massive support from every door I've went to. They all believe the underpass is dangerous and should be closed down and replaced by a safe crossing over the road.

"We need a safe way of crossing that road before someone else is attacked like me."

Ms Thomson, who lives in Barn Park Crescent near the underpass, was taking a bag of clothes to her grandchildren's home in Baberton when the muggers made a grab for it.

Ms Thomson, who is disabled after suffering a broken neck two years ago, said her condition had worsened since the attack.

She said: "I had metal plates and screws in my neck, which limited my head movement, and it's now even more difficult to move.

"I'm too scared to leave the house now so I've been left a prisoner in my own home.

"Friends bring messages round to my house and my son and daughter have to drive me anywhere I'm going. I still have nightmares."

In March, a 29-year-old man was arrested and charged with attempted robbery following the incident.

Earlier this month, the Evening News revealed that gangs of teenagers were terrorising residents of Baberton Mains, with one street the scene of 13 attempted break-ins in a single night.

Local councillor Ricky Henderson said: "I very much welcome Patricia's initiative and the work she's putting into it."

A council spokeswoman said: "We are currently looking at all of the underpasses in this area."