Brechin residents have hit out at Angus Council over the state of town pavements which they say are unsafe.
The town’s community council has said it fears a serious accident if a resident takes a tumble on the crumbling and potholed paths, which have been claimed are making some areas a no-go area for the less able.
Brechin Community Council chairwoman Jill Scott has now called for local elected members to undertake a walkabout to see for themselves the extent of the issue.
“The state of our pavements, along with a lack of drop kerbs, is a disgrace,” she said.
“We need every single person to be able to move around our high street safely and this has been raised time and again by the community council.
“There are holes around lamp posts, patches which are uneven and kerbs that have no edges.
“It’s difficult for everyone, but especially the elderly and parents with pushchairs who also have to go onto the road because of barriers being put around areas being worked on.
“There is also a real danger for people who use mobility scooters because there are holes in the pavement, around lamp posts and crumbling kerbs which could easily lead to an accident.”
Mrs Scott hit out at money going elsewhere in Angus, after £112,000 was rubber-stamped by councillors last week to upgrade a path at Arbroath’s West Links.
“Brechin got nothing at all from the £191,000 Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets funding this time round, and yet the pavements all over the town are in a disgraceful state,” she said.
“God forbid if someone came off their mobility scooter and fell into the road.”
The community council has already been promised traffic surveys on busy roads including Montrose Street and the A935 due to the high volume of traffic, particularly HGVs.
Members highlighted concerns for parents and children crossing Southesk Street to get to Andover Primary School as one of the local troublespots.
“We have already asked that the length of the town be assessed for new crossings as people already feel there is a safety risk,” added Mrs Scott.
An Angus Council spokesperson said ground has been excavated for street light improvements but resurfacing will take place in the coming months.
“We are currently undertaking work in the High Street in Brechin, upgrading the lighting,” the spokesperson said.
“This includes excavation work for the installation of electrical connections.
“We have a footway resurfacing scheme in our programme of work for the High Street, later in this year.”
