Inquiry into `dangerous' town steps

From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Friday 3rd Jan 2003.

VICTIMS of dangerous steps in Bradford on Avon are calling for the council to install a new non-slip surface to safeguard against further accidents.

The steep and uneven Rosemary Steps in Newtown have been causing less able people to fall and injure themselves for years and they are the subject of legal action against Wiltshire County Council.

Bradford town mayor councillor Janet Repton said she has been the victim of the steps.

She said: "I use the steps every day and I have fallen in the past causing an injury to my knee which required me to have physiotherapy.

"The town council has recently had a letter from a resident who was very angry after she fell and injured herself on the steps."

Cllr Repton said that the county council has taken precautions to prevent accidents in the past but they need to be renewed.

She said: "There is a railing and a non-slip surface was put down 15 years ago but it is worn out now and needs to be replaced.

"The steps are being used more and more as the traffic in the town increases."

Bradford on Avon Town Council was prepared to pay £2,000 to put a non-slip surface on the steps but had to stop the plans.

Cllr Repton said: "If the council put down the surface we would be legally responsible for the safety of the people who use the steps so we have left it in the hands of Wiltshire County Council."

A spokesman for the council said: "We don't believe these steps are dangerous but we have asked contractors to carry out a test for skid resistance to fully determine their condition."

Archive Home