ANGRY householders in Ingatestone have hit out at Essex County Council after a three-month wait for a badly damaged pavement to be repaired.
The section of paving in The Hoppet, off Stock Lane, which has lorries and dustcarts travelling over it every week because of cars parked in the road, was first damaged in October last year.
The footpath, now reduced to loose chippings and broken tarmac, was reported to the council in February by neighbour Rowena Hartley, 49, and her disabled partner David White, 58.
Mr White is forced to walk with two sticks at times after he was seriously injured in an industrial accident, which compressed his spinal discs. He also has arthritis.
"On a fortnightly basis you get three refuse trucks up here – the green waste, then the orange bags then the general refuse," he said.
"That's three in one morning and then every day you get it," said Mr White.
"It's annoying when you've reported it and nothing's been done – it's getting worse and worse," said Miss Hartley.
"Anything bigger than a car or van that has to come round here, they all end up having to go over it unless the cars aren't there - there are normally about 10 cars here during the day."
Referring to the damaged pavement, she said: "Anybody could sprain or break their ankle - I've got osteoporosis so if I fall I could break my hip."
The couple's 18-year-old daughter recently tripped over it in darkness when coming back from the High Street with a friend.
The family, who moved to the village two years ago, said that two men were seen taking photographs of the damage at the end of March, but that nothing has been done since.
Miss Hartley said the root of the problem was the lack of parking in the village.
"We've seen people come here, park their cars and walk up off the road to go into the village," she said.
"We could do with extra parking spaces."
Bobby Green, who lives in nearby Stock Lane and also reported the damaged pavement six weeks ago, described the road as "a hindrance".
She added: I've got to walk in the road to get from the house to the shops.
"If you want to take the pavement away to make more space for the trucks then do so, but don't leave us with damaged goods – the community will suffer."
An Essex County Council spokesman said: "Essex Highways is aware of the pavement defect in The Hoppet and we are currently arranging for this work to be programmed in at an early opportunity.
"We would therefore expect this job to be completed within two months and we apologise for any inconvenience caused."
