A GRANDMOTHER has been left housebound after falling down a controversial cycle path built across the Bocking and Blackwater Nature Reserve.
Construction of the £227,000 path began at the end of August last year, but the first phase of the 1.2 km project was temporarily halted in October when the public raised concerns over the "dangerous" height of the structure, and the Environment Agency claimed the council had not got proper permission to build on the reserve.
Judy King, 67, of Gilbert Way, Braintree, was walking her dog with grandson Samuel, seven, when she slipped down the steep side whilst trying to pick up her animal's mess.
"I lost my footing as I bent down on the slope, I fractured my femur, bruised my wrist and had two black eyes," she told the Chronicle. "I was lying there for half an hour as the ambulance couldn't get through; I was told there were five ambulances and an air ambulance standing by.
"It was very painful and somebody tried to sit me up until the ambulance got through."
The route along the Fairview estate in Braintree connects Vernon Way to River Mead and, according to the council, improves links for cyclists and pedestrians to the nature reserve, Braintree College, nearby schools and the Marks Farm Tesco store.
But furious residents objected to the council's lack of consultation and the steep sides of the path, which they claimed were dangerous.
Neighbour Ray Hayden, 52, was able to let the emergency services on to the reserve on April 15 as he had a key to unlock the bollards fixed to the entrance.
"This path is so unbelievably dangerous, there's a 10 to 15 foot drop and the reserve often floods so kids could easily get swept away in the fast current.
"We're lucky Judy wasn't more seriously injured, if she'd hit her head it could have been fatal, I predict someone will die on that path if something isn't done – a child or someone like Judy."
Mrs King was in hospital for three days in which metal pins were put in her hip and she has been unable to leave the house since the accident – confined to the upstairs most of the time.
"I can't put any weight on my foot so I can't go downstairs, it could take over a year for me to get to be mobile again.
"My son and husband have been looking after me, my husband has been learning to cook and do the washing. I think the path is very dangerous, it's in completely the wrong place, it should have been put up the top of the reserve, and if it gets slippery and wet more people could be injured. "
A safety audit provided to Braintree District Council from June 2013 states that "the steepness of the gradient may cause pedestrians to fall and injure themselves, particularly in wet or icy conditions. The gradient will pose particular issues for wheelchair users or pedestrians with prams/pushchairs."
A spokesman for the authority said: "We are sorry to hear about Mrs King's accident. As at this stage we have only been made aware of this third-hand we cannot comment on the details."
