Roads and sidewalks left in a deplorable condition [LETTER]

EDITOR – It is sad when local governance has no money in a budget to replace street lights and pathetic excuses are given for shoddy planning and workmanship.

There is realisation that rates paid will not necessarily be spent in the local borough, where they were collected, but the very basics should be applied locally – just for safety sake.

One prime example is Middleton Road which has been dug up for the laying of cables.

The overgrown sidewalk was littered with broken chunks of tar, making it impassable for the elderly who have walkers to use on the sidewalk.

I can’t understand why these obstructions need to be left on the side of the road for months before being removed. The only resort is to walk in the street, over a blind rise.

That is also impossible due to trenches washed out in the street. It is not only dangerous to the undercarriage of motor vehicles, but also to pedestrians with walkers who have no choice but to walk in the middle of the road.

Further, at the T-junction with Beach Road, the sidewalk is so overgrown it cannot be negotiated. The elderly resort to walking on the other side of the protective aramco barrier, in the street, also on a blind rise both ways.

Seeing a motor vehicle swerve recently to avoid an elderly person with a walker, was frightening.

The pensioners in the well-known retirement complex in Middleton Road are ratepayers. Some respect and concern should be shown to the elderly and other residents.

It must be remembered, especially now with local municipal elections imminent. Newspaper publicity and empty promises will not garner votes.
CONCERNED RATEPAYER

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