2 days Ago By No Author
Odd bricks sitting up to 2cm above the path surface are causing trips and falls.Calls are being made for sections of pathway in Matakana to be re-laid after a spate of falls by elderly people tripping on uneven bricks.The town centre footpaths are a mix of smooth concrete interspersed with decorative sections of old bricks laid in sand, which have no cement binding them in place.
Simone Hibbert-Foy, from Premium Real Estate, says she has witnessed at least three serious falls on the bricks outside her office in the past three months.“There was an 83-year-old man, one lady with a walking stick and then on Friday (March 21) an 80-year-old. This poor man fell completely, he smashed his face and there was a big chunk out of his hand – he was bleeding profusely,” she said.
“I’ve put four calls into the council. I’m not going to sit there and watch old people fall over, it’s horrendous.”Hibbert-Foy said after her first call in January, contractors came straight out and placed large ‘Uneven surface’ signs on the section of path, which is between the Rusty Tui and the Matakana Pub, but nothing had happened since, despite further calls.
“I’ve also put cones out over the worst bricks, but they get stolen over the weekend and so do the signs,” she said. “Every time it rains the sand washes out. It’s ridiculous.
They need relaying.”Staff at the Four Square have also witnessed falls caused by the brick section on the corner of Torea Road, and agreed that sand shifting under the bricks seemed to be an issue.“I’m aware of one lady who fell really badly.
I think because council cleans them with a water-blaster that moves the sand under the bricks. It’s frustrating and dangerous – they need relaying,” said one staff member.An Auckland Transport spokesperson claimed tree roots could be a cause, though there are no trees outside Premium Real Estate or the Four Square frontage.
They urged people to report any problems.“Auckland Transport is aware of ongoing maintenance issues with a brick footpath on sections of Matakana Valley Road in Matakana, around the main business and dining area. Some bricks on the footpath are being raised by the roots of nearby trees,” they said.
“AT has done repairs on the footpath in the past when we have been made aware of these issues, and we urge anyone who has concerns with a part of it to lodge a request for maintenance to us as soon as possible.”Issues can be reported at https://contact.at.
govt.nz/.
