Danger path in Wroughton is cleared at last (From Swindon Advertiser)

Dangerous path in Wroughton sheltered housing is finally cleared

11:22am Friday 2nd November 2012 in News

ELDERLY residents at a sheltered housing complex in Wroughton have breathed a sigh of relief after Swindon Council finally cleaned a slippery pathway which was overgrown with moss and algae.

People at Hastings Court, at Ellendune Centre, say the paths were a fall risk, but claim it took the council three to fours weeks after the first complaint to deal with the problem when it should have been treated immediately.

Ken Stimson, 67, who said he slipped and nearly fell said: “It was very, very slippery and treacherous. The key issue was if people were to walk on the path and they fell over they could end up with broken bones, which in elderly people is fairly serious.

“Anything where there’s a potential danger needs fairly prompt action and especially with elderly people, where a fall could cause serious complications.

“I would have liked it done when the warden asked for it to be done.”

Mr Stimson, who has lived in the complex for five years, said the moss and algae builds up every autumn on the pathway, which leads to the waste bins and several front doors in the complex, and the council’s response times seemed to differ each year.

Council officers came out about a week ago with atreatment which kills the growth.

A Swindon Council spokesman said: “The problem with the moss at Hastings Court is a recurring one and it has been regularly treated as a result.

“Unfortunately, there was a slight delay in resolving the problem this year, but our contractor treated the paths last week.”