LCC Leader, Deputy Leader, local county councillor and Highways on the ground in Grantham to see footpath issues first-hand.
“The local town cllr asked for a meeting with us, we’re here to give him that meeting.
“We’re here to listen to the issues and we’re here to see what can be done to help,” Sean Matthews, Leader of Lincolnshire County Council.
Cllr Matthews, along with deputy leader cllr Rob Gibson, local county councillor Cain Parkinson and a senior LCC highways officer met with Grantham town councillor Bruce Wells for a walkaround meeting looking at local footpath issues.
Cllr Wells has limited mobility, no longer drives and uses a scooter to get about. He asked for a meeting with the county council to discuss the matter in his area. A morning was set-aside for LCC and cllr Wells to get together, walk the areas that concerned cllr Wells with him, and discuss the problems first-hand.
After the visit, cllr Wells said: “I was surprised to see the Leader of LCC come on our walkabout, but was I was glad that he was able to see first-hand what the issues are.
“I talked with him about the amount of money that is needed to fix the pavements just in my area of a small part of Harrowby Ward in Grantham.”
Cllr Sean Matthews, Leader of LCC said: “Bruce asked for a meeting with LCC and I felt it was important that we attend in person, with expert officer input alongside, so that we can properly understand the issues.
“Cllr Wells did a great job in showing us what his concerns were, what the issues for people with mobility issues are in this part of Grantham, and what he felt needed doing in his patch.”
Deputy Leader of LCC Rob Gibson added: “Bruce was very good at highlighting the problems for people with mobility and sight issues as we had the meeting.
“As a local resident, he has the localised knowledge of what’s needed at ground level to make life better for this part of Harrowby Ward.”
Cllr Wells added: “I did say to cllr Matthews that I understand he has inherited a very big backlog of work, and money was tight. Our meeting also gave me the opportunity to explain in detail the issues that blind or poorly sighted local people in this area face with trip hazards.”
Local county councillor Cain Parkinson was also on hand for the meeting, along with a LCC senior Highways manager, to begin the process of working out what can be done. Cllr Parkinson said: “I’m very thankful for cllr Wells giving us his time for this meeting. Our walkaround has been valuable, enabling us to get down to the detail of specifics in the Harrowby Ward area.
“This is just the start, and we will get on with working with cllr Wells to continue making a difference in the area.”
Cllr Wells added: “The morning was well spent for all parties - me to say what needed doing for the pavements, fences and bushes, my County Councillor Cain to see for himself what needs doing and for the Leader of Lincolnshire County Council Sean to first-hand understand the pressures on our part of Grantham Town itself.
“I thank them all for their time and hope to see them again. I look forward to the feedback report on what they think can be achieved.”
