Housebound by shoddy pavements
Frances Noble (65) needs a walking aid after suffering a brain injury a number of years ago.
The fiercely independent senior citizen moved into a ground floor flat at Bield social housing development at Whitehill Court last year.
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Hide AdBut she says she cannot leave her home even to pop up to the shop a few yards along the road because of the holes in the footpath and road on Whitehill Avenue.
Despite complaining in writing twice to the council in recent weeks, Frances says she has not even had the courtesy of a reply.
The pensioner said: “I can walk fine myself with the aid of my walker but the pavement and the road outside are full of holes.
“It is so bad that I can’t get any further than just beyond the outside of my home .
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Hide Ad“I have to rely on a carer to help me or wait until a friend comes round, because I am terrified I will fall.
“Some of the pavements have been patched up but the repairs are not very good.”
The pensioner’s carer said: “Frances is able to walk with her aid but she can’t even get out to the shop for a pint of milk because of the state of the road.”
Frances added: “I had to be cared for in Mavisbank Nursing Home for five and a half years before I moved in here about a year ago. I feel I have been through the mill, but I like it here and like being able to live independently.
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Hide Ad“I just want East Dunbartonshire Council to fix the pavements so I won’t be scared of falling.”
Grace Irvine, Director of Neighbourhood Services told the Herald: “Our inspector received a notification about an uneven pavement on Whitehill Avenue in May, visited the site and identified a small issue near Whitehill Court next to a fire hydrant.
“At the time our inspector considered that this defect was not a safety issue therefore did not require immediate attention.
“An instruction was issued to have a non-urgent repair carried out.
“ The repair is scheduled to be completed shortly.”