A year after our video report, there is renewed call for action over park safety after another elderly resident takes a tumble

By Neil Speight

16th Feb 2022 | Local News

MORE than a year after a Thurrock Nub News filmed report highlighted the poor state of paths and verges in a borough park, another elderly person has joined the ranks of those injured after taking a tumble.

Local residents and an area councillor have been critical of the lack of maintenance at Corringham Town Park and have called for urgent action to make it safer.

This follows an incident when an elderly lady suffered a fall while walking on one of the pavements in the park, many of which are cracked and uneven.

In the wake of the lady's fall, a number residents have spoken up about the condition of the paths in the park - and say several other incidents of people tripping and being injured have been witnessed.

One resident says: "The footpath leading into Corringham Park from the car park behind Morrisons has a damaged part, with quite a steep dip in the path and is becoming much of a hazard.

"With a nursery being in the park, we are constantly battling to get prams and pushchairs in to the park over this dip, and today a poor lady caught her trolley in the dip and ended up having quite a nasty fall.

"Something needs to be done about this as it is so dangerous!"

Another said: "The whole path leading from the gate in Morrisons car park to the exits on Gordon Road need to be looked at seriously.

"Gordon Road has a large sheltered housing population of elderly people that are sadly to frightened to use the path into town as it is so dangerous"

Local councillor Gary Byrne says he is totally frustrated by the inaction from Thurrock Council over the state of the park.

He told Nub News: "It has been reported time and time again and we are promised action but nothing happens.

"Teams of engineers have been seen measuring up, but then they go and nothing happens.

"It's just a terrible situation."

Last year our story featured the efforts of local woman Julie Sorrell-Wilde who used to run the Friends of Corringham Park Facebook page, but says she has become totally disillusioned with the lack of support and action she ended up stepping away because it was so frustrating.

"As well as the repairs I applied for grants, asked for meetings regarding its upkeep and put plans forward for a sensory garden and a revamp revamp of the skateboard ramps.

"All came to nothing as they were turned down.

"I know of four reported accidents . A lady in Tasman Close broke her ankle and lost her job as a result I believe.

"We've had residents meetings attended by councillors and there have been four 'council walks' around the park regarding the paving. But you can see the state they are still in."

Thurrock Council has declined to answer questions from Nub News so we are unable to bring you its response about the state of the park and the pathways.

     

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