Laslett's Almshouses Union Street residents' fall risk

All 16 residents of the Laslett's Almshouses in Union Street, off Friar Street, in Worcester have signed the petition to make the pavements safe and accessible, particularly for those in wheelchairs or who use mobility aids.

CONCERN: Rae Wood (in the wheelchair) with campaigner Adam Scott (left) and Tom Collins - residents at Laslett's Almshouses have raised concerns about uneven surfaces in Friar Street (Image: Supplied)

They said they have to negotiate cobbles and uneven surfaces, particularly in Friar Street, sloping and narrow pavements as well as people parking in front of the gates of the almshouses in Union Street, a charity which provides support to the poor and elderly. 

Their shared view is that it puts them at risk of falls and makes it more difficult to get out and about. 

Residents  said the missing bollard and planter immediately outside the almshouses on Friar Street have opened up space for taxis to sit idling, right outside residents' windows

Adam Scott, a community campaigner is the official Labour candidate for Cathedral ward in Worcester, has been working with the joint leader of the council, Lynn Denham and Labour's MP hopeful Tom Collins and residents to request a solution.

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A statement on behalf of residents reads: "Many of us use mobility buggies and wheelchairs. The pavements on the corners of  Union Street and Friar Street and City Walls Road are narrow and slope dangerously.

"Car parking always blocks the dropped kerbs by the main gate (to Laslett's Almshouses) onto Union Street so we cannot get out that way.

"Please make sure the area is safe for wheelchair users so we can leave our homes and get out to the city centre."

Mr Scott said residents find the situation as it is 'inconvenient and worrying'. He first raised the issue with Worcestershire County Council on their behalf on January 22.

"They're concerned about personal injury and concerned about their safety when navigating the difficult pavement. There's a risk of wheelchairs running into the road or topping over," he said.

The former director of regeneration and environment at Blackburn who has now returned to Worcester has also said one solution would be to provide a 'no parking strip' or 'H bar' immediately outside Laslett's main gate where the dropped kerb is.

Cllr Denham said it was 'important that Worcester is accessible for everyone and that we don't put obstacles in the way for visitors or residents'.

Councillor Mike Rouse, cabinet member for Highways and Transport at Worcestershire County Council, said: “Worcester is an ancient and medieval city and so cobbles are not an uncommon feature. 

"We have recently undertaken a site visit with the local county councillor, Simon Geraghty, to look at the problems raised by residents with mobility issues.  We have also spoken to the residents of the Almshouses, to further understand their concerns. We are currently exploring options to try and improve the situation.”