Footpaths labelled a disgrace

Some Timaru footpaths were branded notorious and the town’s sometimes slippery tiles were called safety hazards as the council was urged to tackle problems that, in one case, led to a walker breaking their arm.

Such concerns were called few and far between by a district councillor as those who work with senior citizens warned some footpaths were potentially dangerous and that people needed to encourage the council to fix them.

The concerns emerged out of justreleased feedback to the district council’s informal survey on its bylaws review. The work started in July.

Among the feedback from district residents were claims pavers in central Timaru - pavers the council etched for safety reasons two years ago - were ‘‘downright scary to walk on’’ and in places, a health and safety hazard.

One called the footpaths ‘‘notorious’’ and described how a mishap with a concealed fire plug on Preston St left them with a broken arm. Another said encroaching vegetation made walking difficult for people with mobility issues.

‘‘My friend and I walk each weekend. She uses a cane and there is no way we can walk along together sideby-side.

‘‘It’s a disgrace - the council have let this situation get out of hand. Please do better.’’

Contacted on Friday, South Canterbury Grey Power president Denise Fitzgerald said she had concerns about the general condition of the footpaths in Timaru.

Rough surfaces meant some pavements and designated pedestrian crossings were potentially dangerous for people who had limited vision or mobility. That said, she had heard of no serious injuries since the town centre tiles were resurfaced.

Timaru Senior Citizens’ Association secretary Louise Terry said she was still aware of people, including school children, ‘‘slipping and sliding’’ all over the place on the tiles. People needed to keep telling the council there was a problem to get it fixed, she said.

‘‘Until they know, they are not going to do anything about it.’’

CBD Group chairman Nigel Bowen said it was the group’s position that the council had a duty of care to its citizens. Bowen, who will be sworn in as the new Timaru Ward councillor on Tuesday, declined to comment further.

Councillor Peter Burt said all complaints about footpaths were relevant - but they were ‘‘few and far between’’ taking into account the number of footpaths that were out there. People with issues needed to contact the council service desk and they would be addressed, he said.

The tiles were a ‘‘perennial issue’’ which always got worse in winter, and the time of year had to be taken into account, he said.

The council published responses to the comments on its website. Those about footpaths would be considered by the council’s land transport unit. A council spokesman said maintenance work fell outside the scope of the bylaws review, but would be considered during the long-term plan process next year.

Policing of vegetation was only usually done in response to complaints, or if staff were aware of a safety issue, he said.

Other people providing feedback to the review focused on animal control and the place — if any — of dogs at Caroline Bay.