Dangers underfoot Crack down on tool theft
I AM very concerned that contractor Amey, in “making Sheffield smoother”, is actually creating a massive health and safety risk.
On Friday, January 19, when I was walking to work I slipped on black ice on the footway on the corner of Stafford Street and Talbot Place.
This fall left me in agony and resulted in me spending six hours in accident and emergency. I was lucky that no bones were broken, but I was severely bruised.
The area where I fell is a small patch of newly laid Tarmac that Amey installed following the creation of a dropped kerb. On close inspection of the Tarmac (and I got very close to it!) I found it was covered in an extremely solid layer of black ice.
Later I found out that a friend had fallen in exactly the same place. This indicates that this section of footway is more slippery and dangerous than the old pavements.
I have written to Amey as I am very concerned they may be using surfaces not best suited to our hilly, Northern city.
SELF-EMPLOYED people have to purchase their own tools for the trades they have chosen, but sadly there is a rising increase in tool theft from their vans.
The replacement of these tools can cost thousands of pounds and, in some cases, insurance companies have six weeks to settle any claims, which is a burden to the victim of the crime.
Not everyone can empty their vans at night and not everyone has insurance cover.
This type of crime is classed as petty crime but the tradesmen and women have paid thousands of pounds for their tools with hard graft.
Victims of this crime are calling for more severe punishments and I have written to my MP, Tracy Brabin, to express my concerns.