Solicitor's pavements repair warning (From Andover Advertiser)

Solicitor's pavements repair warning

1:33pm Friday 5th February 2010

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AN Andover solicitor says Hampshire County Council could be facing a major injury claim if something is not done to repair the loose pavements in Union Street – permanently.

Barker Son & Isherwood are planning to make a claim against Hampshire County Council after two clients fell on loose pavements in the passageway.

And Richard Gregory, a partner in the firm, says the council will face a major claim if something is not done soon.

He started noticing it when the firm’s own clients began having problems. “One came in last week who was delivering a letter – she tripped and fell in Union Street and she was injured,” he said.

As well as the two clients wanting to make a claim, within the same period, staff in reception have seen two more accidents involving children.

“We have had four accidents inside two weeks and I suspect there have been even more,” said Mr Gregory.

“And although we are in the business what we always say is that a cheque cannot put things right – I’d sooner the accidents there did not happen.”

He is particularly worried about older people and says: “If you have an elderly person who fractures a hip then you have to factor in some care and there could be a claim worth thousands and thousands of pounds – not arising out of Union Street, but the rate we are going there will be one, and it actually can be avoided.”

The firm’s officer manager has twice written to the council and Mr Gregory himself rang up last week – two days later workmen turned up to patch up Union Street with asphalt. There are similar problems in George Yard.

Cllr Mel Kendal, Hampshire County Council’s executive member for environment, said: “People’s safety is our first concern and this particular scheme is a priority for us.

“Further temporary repairs will be undertaken to make safe the situation and this will be followed by permanent repairs when the extent and details of the scheme have been finalised.

“Were this straightforward we would undertake a permanent repair at this stage but we need to do some ground investigation in order that we can solve this problem permanently.

“This winter has left a legacy of repair work needed and as soon as we have established a programme of priority work we will be in a position to provide specific dates for work to be undertaken.”

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