RESIDENTS in an Irvinestown estate are seeking a solution to a problem that has plagued the area for the past ten years.
In Townhill Park, damage to a footpath that residents claim has been ongoing for years is proving both a hazard and an eyesore.
69-year-old Liz Byrne has lived at Townhill Park for 28 years and has been in contact with both Roads Service and the Housing Executive to seek repairs – after confusion over who’s responsibility it was.
Contacted by the Fermanagh Herald this week, the Housing Executive told the paper they would seek to fix the problem.
“It’s the square in front of us. In this corner we’re all pensioners and none of us are that good on our feet,” explained Liz.
“The slabs are broken and grass is growing in between. I’ve been trying for years to get something done about it.
“It’s been like this for about 10 years.
“I haven’t fallen to the ground myself thankfully but even the children trip on them. We have to pick our steps.”
And, with the weather likely to get worse over the next few months – Liz fears another winter where ice and snow increase the hazard.
“We can’t see where the bad spots are under snow or ice. I don’t know how many times I’ve nearly tripped. And apart from the dangers, it’s an eyesore too.”
Similarly, another resident of the estate, Eugene Baird feels that there is ‘no reason why it couldn’t be sorted out’.
“It’s affecting some of the residents here. If I’d the money I’d do it myself. If it was levelled off we could put in flowers or the best thing might be to dig it out and reduce the width of the footpath which would give you room to get cars parked in there.
“I don’t see it ever being sorted, but I really think there’s no reason it couldn’t be.”
On the issue of who owns the part in question, a Roads Service spokesman said: “We have recently inspected the area in Townhill Park under our responsibility and we are satisfied that it is at an acceptable standard.”
They indicated that the most of the area in question was the responsibility of NI Housing Executive.
The Housing Executive told the Fermanagh Herald: “The Housing Executive has made a further inspection of the area in Townhill Park and now accepts the area in question is our responsibility. Our maintenance team has agreed to repair or replace any paving which is defective.”
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