Sign our petition to fix potholes on estate that looks like Beirut (From Worcester News)

Sign our petition to fix potholes on estate that looks like Beirut

8:08am Friday 11th January 2008 in News By Lauren Rogers, @laurenrogersWN #WENews

NEARLY 400 people are demanding that run-down footpaths in Droitwich are resurfaced.

Pavements throughout the Westlands estate are covered in potholes and now, after years of individual complaints, 394 residents have a signed petition calling for something to be done.

Leading the campaign is 74-year-old Walter Bennett, of Woodmans Close, Droitwich.

Mr Bennett, who said he had lived on the estate for 37 years and had always paid his council tax, described the estate as a "disgrace".

He said: "We don't expect all that money to be spent just on this area but we do expect something to be put back into the infrastructure around here."

Mr Bennett is urging Worcestershire Council County to find a long-term solution.

He said: "About six months ago, they patched up an area just up the road, but that is all they do. To keep doing small repairs all the time must cost an astronomical amount.

"The place looks like Beirut."

Backing Mr Bennett is Satvinder Sohal, of the Costcutter store.

Mr Sohol, who is putting his own money into improving the Westlands shopping precinct, said: "Everybody wants something done about the pavements because the kids keep falling down. We have not had one customer who did not want to sign the petition because they feel that everywhere else in Droitwich gets attention but nothing ever happens here in Westlands."

Worcestershire county councillor Peter Pinfield, who represents the area, said Westlands was "the forgotten estate".

He said: "I fully support Mr Bennett's aim to get improvements. I've been trying for several years to get both the district and county council to spend some money here.

"When we have small amounts of money we have been able to do small sections of the pavement, but it's a case of persuading those who can to put some priority money into it."

Mr Bennett now intends to hand the petition to Worcestershire County Council, which is responsible for maintaining the pavements.

A spokesman for the council said: "We inspect footpaths on a regular basis. Improving footpaths is a council priority and there is a £20 million budget for road and footpath maintenance."