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Improved accessible pavements in South Lanarkshire

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Graham Simpson

Central Scotland MSP Graham Simpson is calling on South Lanarkshire Council to improve its pavements in East Kilbride to help disabled and blind people get around.

He spoke after meeting disabled resident David Noble who complained about the difficulties of getting around Calderwood on his mobility scooter.

The pair toured the area and Mr. Simpson said: “I went out with Mr. Noble on his usual route along and around Morrishall Road and the state of pavements is simply shocking.

"There are potholes, uneven manholes, pavement flooding and the lack of safe dropped kerbs, all of which makes David have to take detours and sometimes go on the road.

"Pavements throughout the town are in a sorry state and have been for years. It makes it a nightmare for the disabled, blind people and the elderly.

"I realise it is a massive job to fix but we have to make a start. 

"At a time when we are trying to encourage people to get out and about, we need to make it safe for them.

"David was telling me that he has fallen off his scooter in the past and he won't be alone in that."

Mr. Noble said: "During the pandemic to get out for fresh air as I am disabled, I have had to use my Motability scooter around the Calderwood area.

"I normally head up Morrishall road, starting at Gibbon Crescent and my first obstacle is the pothole crossing it. Then the lowered kerbstone is so steep my scooter bottoms out.

"The pavement from there has no top surface and the journey can be very bumpy.

"The next road to cross is Tannahill Drive. Again, it has poor lowered kerbstones. I use the house driveways, then go back on to a pot holed pavement most of the way till I get to opposite Glen Esk. 

"I then proceed to the new park in Glen Esk and have a couple of circuits which is heaven compared with the first leg of the journey.

"Next I come back out on to Glen Esk. At the exit there is no dropped kerbstone. I cross to the roundabout which has no lowered kerbstones on or off it and a manhole top sticking up in its middle across Glen Esk and bounce up to next bit of pavement. Again, there is no lowered kerbstone.

"I am now on paving slabs which have gaps between them that, if I don't watch, my wheels can go onto.

"I now proceed along St Leonards Road on very uneven paving stones heading back to Morrishall Road at the red post box.

"I have to go to the grass to avoid a manhole top sticking up back on Morrishall Road to opposite Glen Esk and the problems are now the same on the homeward stretch.

"I have reported it to the council but generally get told they have no resources."

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Graham Simpson Scottish Conservative MSP for Central Scotland

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Scottish ConservativesPromoted by H Simpson on behalf of G Simpson, both of 570 Mosspark Boulevard, Glasgow, G52 1SD
Copyright 2022 Graham Simpson Scottish Conservative MSP for Central Scotland. All rights reserved.
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