Bury St Edmunds Pavements Criticized As Shocking, Unsafe By Residents

Hey, I read a news article about Bury St Edmunds. People are really upset about the sidewalks there. Readers shared stories of falls on social media. One woman even posted an X-ray of her broken arm.

The article discussed Elaine Hill’s fall last year, where she broke her hip on a wobbly sidewalk. She was angry that the council denied her compensation. People are now sharing their own experiences.

Jasmine Leathers, an 84-year-old, showed reporters the bad spots, using her cane to point out cracks and loose bricks. Readers are calling the sidewalks a health hazard and they want them fixed for everyone’s safety.

Shiona Wilson asked for pavement repairs, mentioning she’s still wobbly from hip surgery and avoids sidewalks near her home due to trip hazards. Pamela Ann fell in December, breaking her elbow and requiring a visit to A&E.

Tina Tee fell because someone stepped on a loose slab, getting cuts, bruises, and broken glasses. She now avoids visiting the town alone. Gillian Cornwell said falls impact families too, noting her neighbor broke her arm on faulty paving.

Paul Brooks, the father and husband of wheelchair users, calls the sidewalks and curbs a disgrace. Andy McGowan tripped on a loose slab, but the council said it wasn’t bad enough to fix.

Christine Page described potholes on Cornfield Road, and said tree roots broke through pavements on other roads. Jess Rigden stated Bury’s pavements are dangerous for wheelchairs, adding York Road is like mountaineering.

Lionel Robinson said you might break bones walking around town, while Lynn Burns thinks the paths are shameful. She knows two people who tripped and fell. Thomas Howard highlighted a dangerous spot on Bridewell Lane, noting it has a bollard on the ground and a big hole.

Paula Smith said she watches the ground constantly while walking and Jean Scott worries about service cuts in the future. Eileen Borley always looks down while walking. Kathy Portway said the sidewalks are bad outside town too, and David Hewitt also calls the sidewalks a disgrace.

The council responded saying they keep footpaths up to standard. They employ inspection programs and repair work, including fixing trip hazards. They also encourage reporting problems on the Suffolk Highways website.