Campaign to shut steps in Bridgnorth ‘before someone is killed’
A campaign has been launched to remove or replace some historic steps after a man was injured falling down them.
The 67-year-old believes the steps are a hazard and has started a petition calling for them to be closed ‘before someone is killed’. So far, the campaign has been backed by more than 20 people – with a target of 100 signatures.
The petition has been launched on website 38 Degrees and Mr Harrison is taking legal action against Shropshire Council.
“The council has a duty of care,” he said. “They could be repaired, but if they’re of such historical interest that they can’t be repaired, they should be put in a glass case so that people don’t have to use them. This is not acceptable.”
“When I was there last, a man came down using these stairs who had two walking sticks. If he’d fallen, he could have died.
“I’ve got permanent post-concussion syndrome. I feel if they can do that to me, they’re quite capable of killing somebody. I don’t want that happening to anyone because they can’t be bothered to repair them.”
Mr Harrison said that since his fall, he has met other people who’ve had similar incidents on both the West Quay steps and the Bridgnorth Theatre steps.
A Shropshire Council spokesman said:“We never comment on individual cases.
“However, there are numerous historical features across Shropshire which form part of the adopted highway. These are maintained by the council.
“All of these, including the historical features such as the numerous sets of steps in Bridgnorth are inspected for safety defects on a regular basis. Any identified defect is repaired in a timely fashion.”
To see the petition visit you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/close-these-steps-before-someone-is-killed
Earlier this year, MP Philip Dunne joined the campaign to make the path outside the Queensway Shops, also in Bridgnorth, safer.
The campaign was started by Town Councillor Carol Whittle after a local man, Roger Taggart, died months after tripping on the steps because of complications from breaking his hip and pelvis.
