A severely sight impaired man, who lives in the Bondgate area of Ripon, says that poorly maintained pavements have virtually made him a ‘prisoner in his own home.’

Graham Wilkey, has suffered progressively deteriorating eyesight since childhood and uses a white stick when he goes out.

However, following the coronarvirus lockdown, that kept him at home for months, his ventures onto the street have been limited and he told the Stray Ferret:

“The first time I went out on my own, my stick kept getting stuck in the gaps on the pavement near my home.”

Mr Wilkey, added:

“Rather than going for a walk, it felt like I was having to tackle an obstacle course and that affected my confidence, because of the danger of falling and hurting myself.

“I daren’t go out on my own and  feel that I am virtually a prisoner in my own home.”

One of the many cracked and uneven paving slabs on Bondgate

On the rare occasions that he does go out for an exercise walk, or into Ripon city centre, he needs to have his wife Julie with him as he cannot rely solely on his white stick as an aid to enable safe movement.

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Ripon City Council leader, Councillor Andrew Williams, pointed out:

“Mr Wilkey is not the only person with a disability or mobility issues to have raised concerns about the state of our pavements and kerbs in both the Bondgate and Bondgate Bridge area, which seem to be particularly bad.

“It’s not just the poor maintenance, but the adverse camber in some parts, which also poses difficulties for people with electric wheelchairs, or other mobility aids.”

Because of the concerns raised, Ripon City Council has agreed to call for remedial action from North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC).

Councillors, who attended a virtual full council meeting, voted unanimously to contact NYCC asking the  highways department to make repairs to the pavement and adjustments to the camber in the Bondgate and Bondgate Bridge area.

Councillor Pauline McHardy, told the meeting that one of her elderly relatives had fallen and injured herself on Bondgate Bridge because of its uneven surface.

She added:

“The situation is getting worse and worse and urgent action is required.”

Plans to create Ripon’s first community arts hub have taken a significant step forward.

During the covid-19 lockdown, members of Ripon Amateur Operatic Society (RAOS) have been working behind the scenes to develop proposals that will transform their Allhallowgate headquarters and make them fully accessible to people with limited mobility.

Other objectives are to increase the versatility of the venue and make its space more suitable for the creative arts.

The work is estimated to cost £60,000 and in its quest to raise the initial £20,000 of its target, RAOS is working on a crowdfunding initiative with help and advice from the Aviva Community Fund.

The society is aiming to crowdfund an initial £5,000 over seven days and is asking supporters of its proposals to make donations online.

Aviva has assisted a wide range of community activities and facilities across the UK by providing practical and financial assistance, with its 16,000 employees playing a role in deciding which projects will receive money from the insurance company’s fund.

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RAOS committee member Hannah Ruddy told the Stray Ferret:

“Our aim is to create the Ripon Community Arts Hub. This would be an accessible, versatile and creative space, available to all, bringing together all arts disciplines including music, theatre, comedy, dance and also visual and sensory arts, such as art and photography exhibitions.”

Part of the £60,000 plan is to create new changing and toilet facilities for young actors (Photograph courtesy of RAOS)

The society, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, has presented its proposals in a three minute video, which can be seen via the fundraising page.

Hannah added:

“Lockdown has allowed us to look into what we can do with the space and what’s required for it to reach its full potential.”

To achieve its ambitions, the society plans to install a lift for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility, along with a further toilet for disabled people and improved visual and audio aids in the building.

Other planned enhancements include provision of separate dressing rooms and toilets for boys and girls to meet safeguarding requirements, along with a backstage toilet for performers with disabilities.