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08
Jan
Ex-Harrogate nurse: ‘The pavements are like glass… people do not feel safe going to their GP’
A retired Harrogate nurse who is now a carer has called for urgent action to tackle the state of roads and pavements outside GP practices.
Kathryn Dean told the Stray Ferret she was unable to transport people to the Leeds Road Practice in Harrogate for safety reasons.
Ms Dean stressed the surgery itself had been “fantastic” and had gritted the ramp leading to the entrance.
But she said she could not understand why, four days after snow landed, North Yorkshire Council had still not prioritised safe access outside health centres.
She said:
At the moment, the two people I look after would not be able to get out of their cars and cross the pavement safely. If you have not got crampons on, do not attempt it. It’s like glass.
The practice is fantastic. They are doing their bit, but keeping the access safe is the council’s domain. We are talking about elderly and vulnerable people, and young mothers with babies. They should be a priority. People do not feel safe going to their GP.
Why can’t the binmen who are unable to empty the bins spread some salt instead? Why can’t the parks people who can’t work now improve the pavements instead? You only have to clear it once.
Ms Dean said she phoned the council yesterday and was told her concerns would be passed on in an email.
The Stray Ferret asked the council to respond to Ms Dean. We also asked what action it was taking to treat minor roads and pavements.
A council spokesperson directed us to a section of its website about winter services, which you can visit here.
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