RESIDENTS campaigning to fix Witney’s ‘dangerous’ pavements are refusing to give up the fight.

People in the town who have suffered injuries after falling over damaged and uneven paving slabs have called on Oxfordshire County Council to make Witney’s walkways truly fit for purpose.

Those who report issues with the pavements often feel they are ignored or that no action is taken.

The county council, which is responsible for pavements, has said that despite monthly checks the slabs are continuously damaged – giving the impression that nothing is being done to resolve the problem.

The council said it will work with Witney Town Council and West Oxfordshire District Council to consider different surfacing options for the area.

Last year the Witney Gazette reported on Dorothy Holloway’s campaign to get the town’s pavements fixed after she suffered broken bones, twisted ankles and a number of other close calls.

The 69-year-old, of Minster Lovell, said: “The diabolically lethal state of our town’s pavements is an utter disgrace and they are unfit for purpose.

“I have been fighting a one-sided battle now for well over three-and-a-half years.

“I refuse to give up on them if it takes me till I’m 107.

"I’m not fighting just for me, I’m fighting for the people of Witney.”

Dr John Simpson, of Hailey, suffered a fall in Market Square near Bill’s restaurant a few months ago.

He reported the ‘hole’ in the ground that caused him to trip but said nothing has been done.

The 82-year-old said: “That’s the problem. It’s very frustrating when you think you’ve done your duty by reporting it.

“Everybody involved wonders whose responsibility it actually is.”

County council spokesman, Martin Crabtree, suggested a more radical solution may be on the cards.

He said: “We are aware of issues relating to the paved area of the town centre and as such it is inspected on a monthly basis.

“Part of the problem is that the area is regularly driven over by many vehicles, particularly on market days, and this dislodges the paving slabs.

“We take action when problems are reported or we find them when we inspect, but as the issues recur so it can appear that nothing has been done to resolve the problem.

“We are considering different surfacing options for the area and will be liaising with both the town and district council.”

Mrs Holloway said the council’s response was positive but refuted claims that all of the damage is caused by vehicles on the pavement as they do not drive on many of the affected areas.

She said: “United we stand – though, at this rate, united we’re going to fall. I don’t want another twisted ankle or broken bone and I don’t want that to happen to anybody else.

RESIDENTS campaigning to fix Witney’s ‘dangerous’ pavements are refusing to give up the fight.

People in the town who have suffered injuries after falling over damaged and uneven paving slabs have called on Oxfordshire County Council to make Witney’s walkways truly fit for purpose.

Those who report issues with the pavements often feel they are ignored or that no action is taken.

The county council, which is responsible for pavements, has said that despite monthly checks the slabs are continuously damaged – giving the impression that nothing is being done to resolve the problem.

The council said it will work with Witney Town Council and West Oxfordshire District Council to consider different surfacing options for the area.

Last year the Witney Gazette reported on Dorothy Holloway’s campaign to get the town’s pavements fixed after she suffered broken bones, twisted ankles and a number of other close calls.

The 69-year-old, of Minster Lovell, said: “The diabolically lethal state of our town’s pavements is an utter disgrace and they are unfit for purpose.

“I have been fighting a one-sided battle now for well over three-and-a-half years.

“I refuse to give up on them if it takes me till I’m 107.

"I’m not fighting just for me, I’m fighting for the people of Witney.”

Dr John Simpson, of Hailey, suffered a fall in Market Square near Bill’s restaurant a few months ago.

He reported the ‘hole’ in the ground that caused him to trip but said nothing has been done.

The 82-year-old said: “That’s the problem. It’s very frustrating when you think you’ve done your duty by reporting it.

“Everybody involved wonders whose responsibility it actually is.”

County council spokesman, Martin Crabtree, suggested a more radical solution may be on the cards.

He said: “We are aware of issues relating to the paved area of the town centre and as such it is inspected on a monthly basis.

“Part of the problem is that the area is regularly driven over by many vehicles, particularly on market days, and this dislodges the paving slabs.

“We take action when problems are reported or we find them when we inspect, but as the issues recur so it can appear that nothing has been done to resolve the problem.

“We are considering different surfacing options for the area and will be liaising with both the town and district council.”

Mrs Holloway said the council’s response was positive but refuted claims that all of the damage is caused by vehicles on the pavement as they do not drive on many of the affected areas.

She said: “United we stand – though, at this rate, united we’re going to fall. I don’t want another twisted ankle or broken bone and I don’t want that to happen to anybody else.