They moved into Greenbank Drive 27 years ago.

``We asked for a footpath when our children were little,'' Mrs Burgess said.

``Now we have four grandchildren and it still hasn't come.''

Mr Burgess said a footpath was vital for road safety.

``When my wife takes our grandchildren out, she would like to wheel a pram, but prams don't run well over grass, particularly if it's wet.''

He said trucks and buses regularly used Greenbank Drive, and residents often walked along the road.

Mrs Burgess said she was not only concerned for her grandchildren.

``I worry about the kids walking to the bus stop,'' she said.

``They walk along the road and, if it's raining, they may stand on the road waiting.''

Last July they thought a footpath would finally be built, because a Penrith Council letter advised them it was planned for this year.

However, a letter one month later from then Penrith Mayor Jim Aitken, advised that the footpath contractor had mistakenly letterboxed the whole street.

``The footpath work scheduled for the current year is only between Bungalow Parade and Pioneer Lane,'' he said and apologised for the misunderstanding.

Mr Burgess said it was past time for all Greenbank Drive residents to have a footpath beneath their feet.

A Penrith Council spokesman said Mr Burgess's frustration was understandable.

``But Penrith is a large, growing city where there is much demand for new footpaths,'' he said. ``It will take many years to meet that demand and council must prioritise work to make use of its available budget.''