‘UNSAFE PAVEMENTS FORCE ME INTO ROAD’
Anthony fears ‘lifeline’ mobility scooter will be damaged
DISABLED Anthony Howell has told how he is being forced to ride his mobility scooter on one of Stoke-on-trent’s busiest roads – because ‘unsafe’ pavements are always being dug up.
The 53-year-old has been using mobility scooters for almost a decade after problems with his legs left him unable to walk very far.
The Fenton resident uses his scooter to go up and down nearby Victoria Road during trips to Asda and B&M.
But he says he ends up on the road after encountering ‘inaccessible’ pavements.
Now Anthony wants Stoke-ontrent City Council to improve the state of the pavements – amid fears his mobility scooter will break.
Anthony said: “I have a massive problem with my legs and can’t walk very far. I’ve got arthritis among other medical conditions.
“The mobility scooter is my lifeline and it helps me to get from one place to the next. It has enabled me to get out and do my shopping – and without it I’d be stuck indoors.”
Anthony says he encountered his latest problem during a shopping trip on April 26.
He added: “I went shopping and had to drive into the road to get into Asda because the pavement was inaccessible. When I come out of Asda I drive along the pavement but then I come to a section where I have to go back into the road again.
“I have to go onto the wrong side of the road so I can cross over and it’s just too dangerous for people with disabilities. It’s horrendous and an absolute joke.
“They are forever digging the pavement and road up and laying it back down again but when they do that it’s never good enough. I’m sure it causes other people’s mobility scooters to be damaged.
“I am worried about the state my scooter will get in if I continue driving it on Victoria Road.”
He added: “It’s unsafe even if you are walking. Anyone could easily trip because of the pavements.
“There are bollards everywhere on both sides of the road. There are holes in the pavement and it’s all uneven, it’s an absolute mess.
“You shouldn’t have to drive your mobility scooter on the road but you can’t get onto the pavement because of them digging both sides up. It’s atrocious. The council needs to sort all the potholes out and make the pavements more accessible for disabled people. It’s not good enough.”
Councillor Daniel Jellyman, cabinet member for infrastructure, said: “We have no outstanding defects or complaints relating to the Victoria Road footpath by Mr Howell or any other resident.
“We complete six monthly walked inspections of the area. However, due to this complaint we will be doing an ad-hoc inspection to assess the condition and any defects identified will be raised for repair.
“The welfare of our residents is always our priority and any issues should be reported to us.”