Wirral pavements in need of repair

Feb 25 2009 Birkenhead News

ALMOST a third of Wirral’s pavements are in need of repair, new figures show.

Figures released by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) reveal that 28% of Wirral’s pavements need maintenance.

Wirral is in sixth place in the North West region, in terms of lacking walkway maintenance.

The authority with the most work to do is Halton, where one in two pavements needs repair work.

Liverpool sits in 10th place, with 24% of its pavements needing work.

But at the same time, the data shows that 92% of pavements in Sefton are in a good state of repair.

Campaigners for safer pavements say councils need to take urgent action to limit the danger to pedestrians, particularly the elderly and infirm.

Lynn Sutcliffe, of the CSP, added: “Once an older person has fallen, it can seriously affect their physical and emotional wellbeing.

“Walking on uneven ground requires older people to be fit and strong, and able to withstand disturbances to their balance.

“If local authorities act sooner rather than later to fix the pavements that need repair, many unnecessary falls could be avoided.”

A Wirral Council spokesman said: “The figures published relate to only category one and two footways and does not reflect the whole of the Wirral footway network; the figure only relates to 1% of the total network.

“Pavements requiring structural maintenance do not necessarily mean they are dangerous.

“Trip hazards on pavements are identified through inspections and other means, including reports from the public. “Where a hazard is identified we endeavour to correct the defect or make it safe immediately if it is dangerous or an emergency.”

To report a broken pavement call 606 2004 or email streetscene@wirral.gov.uk.