Cracked footpaths pose 'significant hazard'
GoogleDamaged and dangerous footpaths in part of Teesside are continuing to present a "significant hazard" for residents, a councillor has said.
Jade Lavan, who represents Redcar's Zetland ward, said she was reporting ongoing issues on a regular basis which could cause "trips and falls not only for those with additional needs, but for all residents and visitors".
She asked if the cabinet member for highways and transport, Carl Quartermain, would meet her on a ward walk "so these concerns can be seen first hand".
Quartermain said funding for footpath resurfacing was "limited" but added the council was "not neglecting Zetland", with a recent inspection identifying a "small number of defects which do require attention".
Lavan said the Zetland area had a "diverse demographic, including an ageing population, wheelchair users, individuals with mobility issues, sight impairments, dementia, disabilities, and families with young children using pushchairs".
She said many footpaths presented "a significant hazard, increasing the risk of trips and falls not only for those with additional needs, but for all residents and visitors".
Quartermain said he would be happy to meet Lavan, who previously represented Labour but switched to being Independent, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
He said footpaths across the borough were inspected every six months but funding for footpath resurfacing was "limited" with the 2025/26 period including nine schemes in the borough.
Quartermain pointed to one of the largest schemes being the resurfacing of Lincoln Road.
He said tree roots were a constant problem and in several parts of the ward sections had deteriorated as a result, and been replaced with tarmac with repairs completed last month.
