THE HUSBAND of a disabled Charford woman has hit back at Bromsgrove District Housing Trust, claiming it refuses to disclose when it will fix a pathway residents have deemed dangerous.
Keith Jones said his wife Lynda, 65, who has a muscle-wasting condition and arthritis and has to use a walking aid, struggles to negotiate the uneven pathway, hazardous kerb and pothole-riddled car park to get her vehicle.
He said: “My wife has to walk down this path with the possibility of falling at the bottom.
“She uses crutches which slide away at the incline and trying to cross to the car park is a complete and utter nightmare.”
BDHT resources director Graeme Anderson said the organisation’s chief executive Mike Brown visited Mrs Jones in Charford last week to discuss the issue because there were significant steps at the front and back of the property.
“We are currently looking at ways to improve the pathway and add a dropped kerb but this is a small part of the overall issue.”
He added residents would be notified with more details when that was due to take place.
Keith said he spoke with Mr Brown and a colleague when he ‘saw them looking down his garden path’.
“Mr Brown didn’t introduce himself, so I told him who I was, and then he told me they’d come to look at the situation.
“I found out the kerb and path would be dealt with at some point in the new year – but that could be January or it could be December.
“It’s not good enough because it’s not just hazardous to the wife, but also other residents.”
Keith claimed the pathway caused the elderly mother of bdht resident Linda Meeson to fall and injure herself several years ago, leading to compensation from the housing provider. but BDHT refused to comment on that.
Keith added: “You’d think they’d learn from that situation and repair things but they haven’t.”
BDHT said because Lynda did not live in one of its properties, it advised her in March via Coun Michael Thompson to speak with an occupational therapist (OT).
Keith said the district council’s OT sent a request to BDHT to have the kerb dropped eight years ago.
But a council spokesperson said the authority was unable to confirm that, due
Coun Michael Thompson said: “BDHT seems to believe, because the Jones’ are not BDHT residents, it does not have to take immediate action on the path. Frankly, I find this remark as callous as I do ignorant.
“Firstly, the Jones’ are not the only people to use the path – there are plenty of BDHT residents who will also use it.
“Secondly, it’s a public pathway. BDHT therefore has a responsibility for its upkeep so it’s usable by everybody in that area.”
19th Apr, 2024
