No budget for dropped kerbs

Cllr Clark asked for dropped kerbs at Mistley Close, next to Seabourne Road, to allow easier and safer access for wheelchair users, mobility scooters, and pedestrians, including parents with pushchairs.

He claims he was told that there is no budget allocated for dropped kerbs in this financial year.

Cllr Clark said: "In previous years I have received great support from Highways which provided a number of dropped kerbs in Pebsham at my request.

"Only last year, when I called for improved access for disabled people in the town centre, and access to the Town Hall, I was told by a spokesperson for Highways that they would be spending 100,000 on putting in dropped kerbs, including improving kerb access to the Town Hall.

"Kerbs are a real barrier to many people with mobility problems."

He added: "Is this the start of the much expected cuts in public services?

"It cannot be right that people with disabilities should be the first to feel the effects of cutbacks."

He said he would be asking Rother District Council to take up the issue.

Seabourne Road resident Jeannie Prince agreed that the high kerb on both sides of Mistley Close was a problem '“ particularly for less mobile older patients attending Pebsham surgery.

She commented: "I even see people with mobility scooters going down the middle of the road because they have to get off the kerb further up.

"There are cars trying to exit from the surgery with scooters trying to get round to go down the middle of the road.

"It is a bit dodgy sometimes, I think. It's worrying.

"Then you have elderly people walking along '“ these are quite big kerbs, so I see people trying to lift their feet up and almost trip. It can take quite a few attempts to get their foot over the kerb to carry on walking.

"But it is such a simple thing."

A county council spokesman said, "We will look into Councillor Clark's request for a drop kerb and add it to the list of sites to be considered for work.

"Last year we were granted a one-off allocation of 100,000 for dropped kerbs across East Sussex. This allowed us to carry out a comprehensive programme, putting in dropped kerbs throughout the county.

"More than 80 dropped kerbs were installed.

"Public spending is being squeezed and, like everyone else, we're coping with the effects ofthe recession.

"Unfortunately, we do not have a similar funding for dropped kerbs this year, but we are looking at alternative options for funding so we can continue this highly successful programme.

"In the meantime, we maintain a countywide list of dropped kerb requests and will look to install them as part of other road schemes where possible, or as part of an associated development scheme."