Text your news & pics
Text your news or pictures (plus 'SLNEWS' or 'SLPICS') to 80360. click here for details »
East Sheen woman slams 'nightmare' paving after two falls
7:50am Friday 8th August 2008
After falling on damaged paving and breaking her arm an 81-year-old East Sheen resident thought her troubles were behind her – until pavement problems caused a second fall.
Elm Road resident Ella Flood said she now has to look down at the ground the whole time she walks along roads in the area because of “nightmare” paving.
“I know an awful lot of elderly people who think the same thing, and are too scared to go out in case they fall down.
Ella Flood
About one month ago she was taking her daughter out to celebrate recovering from her first fall, when she tripped in Sheen Lane and fractured several fingers.
Mrs Flood, who is still undergoing physiotherapy, wants to see Richmond Council take responsibility for the state of the roads.
She said: “I’ve had these two awful falls and the actual thing that’s causing this is not being dealt with.
“I know an awful lot of elderly people who think the same thing, and are too scared to go out in case they fall down.
“It’s a bit disgusting that they (the council) spend so much money and they don’t make the pavement safer.”
Her first fall happened in April this year when she caught her foot on gravel at the Sheen Lane crossing, coming into Sheen Road, and fell head first to the ground.
Mrs Flood ended up with a broken arm and a metal plate in her right wrist.
She described herself as “very cross” but said that contacting the council to complain was like “knocking a head up against a brick wall”.
Mrs Flood added: “There are roots pushing the pavement up, it’s a bit of a nightmare.”
A council spokesman said that roads such as Sheen Lane are “scrutinised” every three months and if the “hazard level” deemed higher than accepted it would be repaired within 24 hours.
He continued: “In case of a fall, a council inspector will meet the person, examine the area where the incident took place and assess whether repairs are required.
“Such inspections also determine the settling of a claim.”
The council is inviting Mrs Flood to contact the Highways Department to discuss her incidents and file a complaint.
Your Say YourLocal Guardian
momentum, Whitton says...
12:27am Sun 10 Aug 08
The council has known for years that many of the pavements need replacement but have turned a blind eye.
One of the worst roads in the area is Montrose Avenue. The council has turned a blind eye to many households that have paved over their front gardens to park thier cars but have not paid the council to have a cross over installed (or extended). When a cross over is installed the pavement stones are also reset on a bed of hardcode so they can hope with the weight of cars being driven over them.
Currently the pavement in montrose Avenue is smashed up in many places and undulating all over the place.
The council by ignoring these instances greatly increase the risk of injuries. It should be remembered that brocken hips often result in the dealth of elderly people.
Your sayYourLocal Guardian
Add your comment
Register for a FREE Richmond and Twickenham Times account and you can have your say on today's news and sport by adding comments on articles we publish. The best comments may even get published in the paper.
Please register now or sign in below to continue.
Ella Flood has complained about the state of East Sheen's pavements after two falls
In this section
- Historic Mortlake brewery to close
- Help beat the flu this winter
- Richmond gets top marks for children's services
- Heathrow expansion could oust Labour MP
- Documents reveal largest British museum theft in history
- Teach children about rail track dangers, pleads mum
- Demolition threat for historic Richmond Park stables
- Richmond resident Richard Attenborough on the mend
- Cyclist who died in Richmond Park named
- Tributes to teen killed on rail line
Sponsored Links
Local Services
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
gertrude grendal, Barnes says...
11:29am Fri 8 Aug 08