An elderly woman had to wait two hours with a broken shoulder for an ambulance after tripping over the kerb on James Street, Harrogate.
The woman, in her 70s, told nearby shop staff that she fell after not seeing the kerb because of the planters.
The incident happened at about 11am on Tuesday, June 8.
Local shop assistant, Clare Nelson, who came to help the woman, said Yorkshire Ambulance Service said because she wasn’t in a critical condition there would be a two-hour wait.
Ms Nelson told the Stray Ferret the woman’s shoulder was broken and she was very shaken:
“She was very distressed and shaken, she’d only come for the day and wasn’t aware of the layout. Luckily there were people around to help her but it was still uncomfortable for her.”
She said she watched three other people tripped over the kerb during the two-hour wait. Working in Porters Ms Nelson says she sees several people a day trip over the kerb due to confusion.
The street has planters in the car parking bays to allow for social distancing but, she says, this makes it seem as it is all one level.
She said things need to change:
“I’ve seen plenty of people do it, it’s confusing. Either they move the planters or they do it properly – it’s not practical as it is.”
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The planters have not been popular with many traders on James Street who argue that the loss of car parking bays has affected trade.
‘Reviewing social distance measures’
Melisa Burnham, highways area manager, said:
“The safety of all road users is our main consideration when implementing new measures. If anybody experiences a problem we encourage them to contact us via the website here.
“Our highways teams have not received any reports of the public tripping on the kerb in James Street since the measures were introduced last summer. Emergency vehicles still have access to the area and planters can be moved should vehicles need to park against the kerb.
“We will be reviewing all social distancing measures in conjunction with Harrogate Borough Council after July 19 in line with lockdown easing. I would like to reassure the public that all social distancing measures on James Street and Albert Street will be removed if government restrictions are lifted.”
A spokesperson for Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said:
“During the last few weeks the urgent and emergency care system has come under increasing pressure. We can confirm that this emergency call was received during a particularly busy period on Tuesday 8 June.
“All calls are categorised according to the nature of the patient’s illness or injury and those in a life-threatening condition are always prioritised.”
