THE underpass under a busy Redditch dual carriageway – with sliproads making up a total of eight lanes of traffic – is in such a bad state of repair it’s impossible to push a wheelchair through it.
The issue has been highlighted by local resident Michelle Langman of Lakeside who has found she’s effectively cut off from her in-laws.
They moved into Arthur Jobson House in Abbeydale earlier this year and in theory the underpass connecting Arrow Road North, Lakeside to Abbeydale should make life easier for the close family.
However her mother-in-law Ann Piff, suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and as a result is largely dependent on a wheelchair to get about.
“The underpass between Abbeydale and Lakeside is absolutely a disgrace,” said Michelle.
“The tarmac is all in pieces. My mother-in-law can’t walk far so has to be pushed in a wheelchair but the path is in such a bad way she has to get out and hobble through it, putting her in danger of falling.
“I have contacted the Highways Department and all they have done is repair three patches. It’s just not good enough .
“There is also a piece of metal sticking out too – it’s also a walk to school route too and is an accident waiting to happen.”
Responsibility for the underpass falls under Worcestershire County Council.
After being contacted by the Standard a spokesperson said: “We can confirm that a highways inspector has carried out a recent site visit, and raised an order for temporary repairs to the footway.
“Following this visit, the Inspector advised that for further, more substantive repairs with a maintenance engineer were required for this footway in the long term.
“An engineer will be visiting the location this week to assess and plan further works as required.”
