A public spirited villager has come to the rescue in Ruddington. The pavement on the corner of St John’s Road and St Mary’s Crescent has a very steep kerb. This makes it difficult (even dangerous) for mobility scooter and wheelchair users, people with prams and people with pushchairs to negotiate the corner safely.
A complaint was received by the Parish Council after a mobility scooter user fell into the road from the slope. Fortunately, the lady was only slightly injured. The Parish Council office contacted Nottinghamshire County Council who replied there was nothing they could do at this time.
Step in local resident Ian Wilson, whose home adjoins the corner in question. Ian is having the wall outside his house rebuilt and rendered, and asked the builders to change the angle of the new wall to allow part of his land to be used to make the footway wider – thereby making it easier for everyone to negotiate the corner safely.
Modestly, Ian said “I was aware that there have been several dangerous incidents on that corner, so rebuilding the wall was a great opportunity to help out”. Local resident, Christine Smith, who turns that corner in her scooter on an almost daily basis, said “I am really grateful to Ian for helping us out. My husband, Tony, has been to thank him personally”. Lots of others have echoed these sentiments. However, despite the improvements, drivers are still urged to drive with real caution, particularly during the school run, as incidents are still occurring where motorists are cutting the corner and mounting the pavement.
Ian is a good example to us all, showing how a relatively small but very important gesture can improve the quality and safety of people’s lives. Well done Ian.
Councillor Paul Reedman