Investigating
Pavement Damage - Serious Accident Occured
Sent to Oxfordshire County Council less than a minute later. FixMyStreet ref: 6269817.
This is a report made by a Resident of the retirement complex of Riverside Gardens in Witney with nearly 60 residents onsite with an average age here of 80+.
We are fortunate here in that, although we are in a quiet location, some residents are able to walk into Witney centre from Mill Street via Puck Lane. ( see photos) Most prefer this route to the main High Street as there is only one road to cross and hardly any traffic. It’s important to us to be able to walk to facilities both for exercise and for our independence. Those with COPD can also avoid the worst of the traffic fumes.
Puck Lane has smooth tarmac for nearly three quarters of its length but the final stretch is very rough, uneven road which has caused several falls and twisted ankles; not just to Riverside Garden residents. I enclose photos showing the clear end of the tarmac and the rougher road which has become dangerous to walk on. No-one knows why the tarmac stops just past Gloucester Place and didn’t carry on to the Marriotts Walk shopping complex.
It’s a very well used path, with many coming from the Hailey Road area of North Witney as well as Mill Street residents and the retirement complex of Gloucester Court Mews, where residents have this very uneven stretch of path to negotiate to reach the shops, cafés or the Medical Centre. Several use mobility and sight aids and this stretch has become quite risky for people to walk on.
(Continues)
Council ref: ENQ241012204
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Thank you for your enquiry. This issue has been passed onto the relevant team for investigation.
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Walking is obviously encouraged but some are becoming fearful of using Puck Lane, particularly in autumn when the leaves cover this rough area and you can’t see the potholes.
Witney Town Council has confirmed that OCC are responsible for maintenance here as part of the Adopted Highway.
I am asking on behalf of residents here and all affected Witney residents, that this stretch of Puck Lane which leads into Marriotts Walk opposite Marks and Spencer’s, also have tarmac on its surface as a matter of urgency please.
Ten days ago a resident here had a nasty fall on this stretch as she was walking to an appointment at the Medical Centre. Pictures of her injuries have been forwarded under seperate cover - See email of 23.07.24 07.36am sent to HighwaysEnqguires email address.
As it’s a well-used path, people were there to help her. She was taken to the Windrush Medical Centre and then into the JR hospital in Oxford. She says that she has lost confidence to ever do that walk again.
Sadly, this is not an isolated incident, but this lady being a near neighbour, has encouraged me to follow this up before more falls or twisted ankles happen, as they surely will. I do hope you are able to help with this as a matter of some urgency please; it’s very much a Health & Safety issue. We would all be really grateful.
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