Resident calls for council to “do something about unsafe pavement”

The pavement on Reform Street

Local resident Karen Eaton has called for Rochdale Borough Council to take action on an “unsafe and uneven” pavement on Reform Street, near Rochdale Infirmary.

Karen, who says she has put in numerous complaints in recent years, claims that residents and visitors alike have fallen due to the pavement’s uneven surface.

She said: “The footpath is uneven, unsafe to walk on. I have put complaints in over the past few years as I have had a few falls and so have some of my neighbours.

“I’ve done everything I can: I’ve emailed, rang the council, and sent a petition via a local councillor. I’m fed up as I feel scared walking down the street – even friends visiting us have fallen.

“We’re told budgets are tight, yet I see road works around Rochdale. All I want is a safe path to walk down without the fear of falling.”

Andrew Storey, head of highways at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “We’re aware of the resident’s concerns. We have since inspected the site and found that it meets all safety standards.

“With thousands of miles of footpaths and roads across the borough, we need to prioritise for repair those which are in the poorest condition. As part of this work, we’ll be investing £2m in our footpaths between now and 2020 as part of our £12m highways investment programme.”