A PENSIONER’s campaign to repair dangerous paving stones has finally paid off – but only after his wife was seriously injured.
Phil Campbell, 78, was walking into town along Cleveland Terrace, Darlington, when his wife Kath tripped on a damaged paving stone and broke her hip.
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The 73-year-old waited up to two hours for an ambulance to take her to hospital, where she remains, highlighting the dangers of the damaged pavements that Mr Campbell has been calling out for years.
He said: “I live on Cleveland Terrace and we walk into town all the time. What we’ve found, and I’ve brought this up with the council many times, is the condition of the pavements aren’t safe. Kath was in agony.”
Mrs Campbell was aided by passersby and a fire service crew before travelling to hospital.
Mr Campbell said: “My wife was lying on the floor, screaming in pain, and I couldn’t do anything. If it hadn’t have been for the people who came to help us then we would have been in bother.”
Dangerous pavements in the area is an issue Mr Campbell says has been ongoing for years.
“I’ve spoken over the years to councillors and the MP about the footpaths in the winter and I have repeatedly watched people fall over,” Mr Campbell added.
“Part of the problem is that in the winter time the pavements don’t get gritted,” he said. “You can’t walk up the road and it’s not safe.
“The council often say they can’t afford grit bins but it’s going to cost hundreds of pounds to put my wife back together again. We’re looking at about four to six months of treatment.”
Darlington Borough Council pledged to repair the area of pavement after Mr Campbell’s impassioned appeal.
A spokeswoman said: “Cleveland Terrace is inspected every three months and any defects found on the footway which is close to our investigation level of 20mm will be repaired.
“The flag had a lip of 10mm so did not meet our investigation level.
“However, we have raised an order to have the paving stone replaced and this work will be carried out within the next few weeks.
“We are sorry to hear about the fall and wish Mrs Campbell a speedy recovery.”
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