A fed up grandmother says « dangerous » pothole-ridden roads are putting mobility scooter users at risk.
Margaret Pryke, 84, says her scooter has become a « lifeline » for her since she bought it in July – as it is the only way she is able to travel around Ashford, Kent, where she lives.
However, when she is forced to come off the pavement due to obstacles or narrow paths, things become « uncomfortable » and even « painful » due to potholes.
Mrs Pryke, a former nurse, says she has hurt her back using Ashford’s bumpy roads – and often has to take longer, more inconvenient routes to avoid damaging her £3,000 scooter.
She is now urging the council to repair the roads – particularly streets where mobility scooter riders are forced to leave the pavement.
The grandmother said: “It’s a problem throughout the whole of Ashford.
“Some of the footpaths are so narrow or have brambles growing everywhere or poles in the middle.
“But the roads have enormous potholes.
“It is difficult for people like me who use scooters because they get damaged by the potholes.
“I don’t use certain roads anymore because of the potholes. They are dangerous.”
Mrs Pryke has urged the council to fix the potholes as people like her « can’t get about without [their mobility scooters] ».
She said: “The roads need to be resurfaced. Not just for drivers, but for scooter riders too.
“We don’t ask for these scooters – we use them because we have to. We can’t get about without them.
“I have been active all my life but I can’t walk very far now and the scooter gets me out so I don’t sit about and mope like I used to.“
One street near Mrs Pryke, Newtown Road, recently reopened following a seven-week closure during which electrical cables were laid.
But furious residents have slammed the authorities for failing to fix a single pothole during that time.
A spokesperson for Kent County Council (KCC), which owns and manages public roads across the county, said: « We want to reassure residents that Newtown Road in Ashford is set to have junction alterations and carriageway resurfacing.
“We are unable to give a date for the start of these works as this is the responsibility of the developer, Quinn Estates.
“In the interim, KCC are arranging some minor repairs to any eroded areas. »
Source link
