OAP falls victim to ice-damaged road in Devizes (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

OAP falls victim to ice-damaged road in Devizes

9:01am Thursday 11th February 2010

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Pensioner Brian Mawer has called on Wiltshire Council to repair roads left rutted by the freezing weather after he literally fell victim to the damage.

More than 2,000 pot holes have been filled in by Wiltshire Council since the snow and icy conditions in January but many still remain.

Last Wednesday evening Mr Mawer, 75, was returning to his car with chicken and chips from the chip shop in the Market Place, Devizes when he tripped in a rutted part of the road near the bus stop.

Mr Mawer was unable to stand up and was helped by two motorists who stopped and went to his aid.

He was able to drive to his home in Nursteed Road but the following morning he went to Chippenham Hospital’s minor injury unit to be checked over. He suffered extensive bruising from his left hip to his knee.

Mr Mawer, a retired teacher who volunteers at the Oxfam shop in Maryport Street, rang Wiltshire Council’s Clarence number to complain about the road but as of Tuesday this week no repairs had been carried out.

Mr Mawer said: “I know of a woman who tripped on the same bit as I did and I heard of another person who also fell there.

“It’s quite a big dent in the road and it’s at a point where people cross the Market Place.

“Even if it couldn’t be filled in straight away the council could have fenced it off. It is dangerous left as it is and there are a large number of hazardous areas in the Market Place.”

A spokesman for Wiltshire Council said the pothole Mr Mawer fell into was due to be filled in by today.

The spokesman said: “Wiltshire Council would like to offer apologies for any distress caused.

“We are doing all we can to fill in as many potholes as possible and prioritise repair of the most severely damaged main roads. Other potholes in Devizes will be prioritised in the same way.”

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