Forum Topic

DAMAGED PAVEMENTS UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've just taken a HUGE tumble walking down Brook Lane South caused by me going head over heals due to a 'blown section of  resurfaced tarmac.My handbag went flying, both my shoes ended up a foot behind me (which will gage for you the extent of my fall) - it was like a fall in ski-ing! My mobile (MY NEW MOBILE!) was in my pocket and the screen has smashed. My left hand is killing me as it took the impact on me trying to break my fall.  My right knee is swollen and cut. The fall hurt so much it made me physically sick. I've just limped into my office, shaken and in tears with the pain.A work colleage is going to drive back to the location later to take some pictures of it.In the meantime, can anyone advise me who I should report this to please.Thank you,SHAKEN UP FRAN

Fran Naughton ● 6570d6 Comments

No comfort I know when you've hurt yourself - but do lodge a claim for personal injury and belongings damaged.

Vanessa Smith ● 6569d

Hello Fran.  Sorry to hear of your fall hope you are okay.  The shock from a fall can stay with you as long as the injuries so Jim is right to say to take it easy.  You will probably not walk around quite so happily in the future either - I found that on my first walk with the ramblers I spent the entire walk looking at the ground and had missed all the views!  :-( You need to take some thorough pictures of the area you tripped over and then wider photos to show exactly where it is sited (pan back from the closer photo and make sure you include ones which prove it is next to a house or building or tree within a road).  If you can, take some showing the measurement of the raised or dipped bit you fell over.  The intervention levels for dealing with a dangerous spot are in mm's so take an assortment of items which also can be proven to be a particular size - such as a coin.The difficulty I found with a coin is that it will slip down the gap so take a tape measure which can be held against the gap and a more solid item which again can be proven to be a particular size.Cllr Paul Fisher sent me this -  Intervention levels The following intervention levels will apply for 2004FootwayVery heavily used (town centres) 15mm trip / rockerHeavily used (other shopping areas, schools, hospitals etc.) 20mm trip / rocker Frequently used (principal roads) 25mm trip / rockerOther (residential roads) 25mm trip / rockerCarriageway Areas where defects may be particular hazardous to pedestrians / cyclist such as pedestrian crossings, road junctions and in or adjacent to the kerb / channel    40mm potholeVery heavily used (town centres) 50mm potholeHeavily used (other shopping areas, schools, hospitals etc.) 50mm potholeFrequently used (principal roads) 50mm pothole I found that a dice fitted the first intervention level - a 1p piece fitted the second and a 10p piece the third - but that was from just scrabbling around on my desk.All the best

Sarah Felstead ● 6570d

FranSo sorry to hear of your fall..that was bad luck...but what a shock for the system.  Such a lovely lady as your goodself doesn't deserve such an experience. Plenty of TLC today should see you feeling better soon.ShelaghI cycled along the pavement in Kew Road at 9pm last night from Old Deer Park...along that long wall of Kew Gardens..to Kew Bridge.  I cannot recall seeing such a long long stretch of poor pavement ever before..and if they had a Forum over on that Surrey side..the authorities would ceretainly get a hammering!  Sorry to hear of your incident too.

Jim Lawes ● 6570d

Thanks for your replies Shelagh and David.I'm off to sit it out at Doctor's now to see if I can get an emergency appoitment.Fran

Fran Naughton ● 6570d

Fran sorry to hear this.The Hounslow web site (www.hounslow.gov.uk) has all the contact information you need.For Highways it is 020 8583-5555 or e-mail highways@hounslow.gov.uk - they will need a precise location and if you are taking photographs, that will help them locate the problem.

David Palmer ● 6570d

It must be the season for falls.  I stumbled and fell over after having to walk home from work yesterday evening due to volume of traffic, from Richmond to Brentford, along Kew Road.  I contacted the most unhelpful of persons at Richmond council from the phone number I found on the Richmond council web-site, but then I discovered an on-line complaints form, also on their web-site, which I submitted through to them.  Maybe Hounslow council has similar info. and complaints forms on their web-site?

S Passmore ● 6570d