Residents in appeal for street path

Residents of Tennyson Gardens, in Darlington's Park East Ward, have paths from their homes on to the circular road around the cul-de-sac, but because there is no footpath they must walk on the road.

Milly Mason, 78, said her husband Eric, 84, has had to stay in their home since he came out of hospital six weeks ago, because he uses a wheelchair.

She said: "There is a ramp down to the road, but there is a step on that, and I've pulled a muscle trying to get him down it.

"They have said they will sort that out, but I'm still waiting. But even if they do that we still have to walk on the road and it's not safe.

"There are always cars coming round quite fast."

Another resident, Hilda Gittings, 82, moved into her bungalow in the street three months ago.

Although she is pleased with the house, she fears someone will be hurt on the road.

"There must be 20-or-so houses here, all for elderly people. I have an ulcer on my leg, so I have a job to get down the step from my path on to the road, without trying to get out of the way of the cars that come flying round," she said.

"I'm also frightened to let my great-granddaughter out. She is four, and without a footpath it is too dangerous."

Darlington Borough Council has spent £230,000 improving the houses in Tennyson Gardens this year - the first improvements to be carried out in the area since 1973.

Although residents are happy with their new bathrooms, kitchens and parking bays, they feel they also need a footpath.

Local councillor Glen Reynolds said: "There are obviously some outstanding issues. One which concerns me is wheelchair-bound residents not having a footpath. It needs to be seriously considered."

A council spokesman said: "Taking into account that Tennyson Gardens has a low volume and a low speed of traffic, as well as a history of being a safe environment for older residents, it is not deemed necessary to construct a footpath given the other improvements."