Letter to the Editor

Dear Madam,

I have written to the Council Leader, Adam McVey, about the complaints I have made for the last three years.

These relate to the condition of the footpath in East Claremont Street, as you highlighted in an earlier issue.

Recently one of my neighbours told me that the Council's Pavement Replacement Works' Contractor was out surveying the street. The Contractor advised that the pavement replacement works were scheduled to start on 12th July 2020.

I am pleased about that, but I would have expected the Council to inform me when these long overdue works would be taking place.

Contrary to Cllr McInnes's claim, the Council has not kept me "informed" about this matter. I continue to be concerned by the claim made by one official of the Council that the condition of the footpath did not merit replacement before 2018. Simply not true.

Nothing was done about the dangerous and dilapidated condition of the pavement in

East Claremont Street until I relentlessly pursued this issue three years ago.

I am firmly of the view that there has been a dereliction of duty on the part of the council'd Streetscape Surveyor for allowing the footpath to deteriorate to this state.

It should be cause for concern, because if someone had suffered an accident and incurred losses, the council could be held liable for substantial damages.

The hard pressed council tax payer can do without having to fund claims for damages because Council Officers are not being diligent. If anyone at the Council doubts my veracity on the prevailing situation, I should be pleased to take them on a local tour.

I would like to know what the Council is going to do to ensure that this disgraceful and longstanding situation (which I find egregious) does not recur.

I did copy correspondence on this matter to the Community Council and did not receive an acknowledgement or reply.

Yours etc, Shane Carter