Pavements along the Caledonian Road could be dangerous to the elderly and disabled, according to locals. Uneven slabs, cracks, and sinking roads are the biggest concern for campaigners.
Jim O’Brien, who works at Sunflour Bakery, said: “We’ve had a lot of problems, with many elderly people falling over. Trees break up the pavement, creating cracks. The roads are also sinking because of heavy traffic.”
Mr O’Brien said: “The council says shopkeepers should help pay, but the shopkeepers say it’s the council’s job because the trees are causing the problem.”
Cllr Michelline Safi-Ngongo, who is a wheelchair user, explained the toll poor pavements have for those in wheelchairs. She said: “If you are disabled, you need to go outside for your mental health, but you can’t if the pavement is not in good condition.”
Cllr Paul Convery, who has been working on plans to improve the area, explained why the issue is complicated: “Two-thirds of the pavement is actually private land, not a public road,” he said. “Long ago, these pavements were part of the front yards of houses. Underneath are old coal cellars. We spent over a year and a half figuring out who owns what, and now we have a plan.”
Mr Convery said: “The pavement on the east side of Caledonian Road is probably in the worst condition.”
Gabriella Mann, 81, fell five times on her road in Highbury Grange. Islington Tribune reported that she almost broke her nose and damaged her forehead last year.? She also said she had seen around 20 other people fall or trip on uneven pavements in Highbury Grange and questioned how many more fell.
Mr Convery said public money could not be used to fund the fixing of private land, despite the public being able to access the road.
“We want a liveable neighbourhood. What’s the most important means of moving around? It’s actually walking,” he said. “Walking is far and away the mode of transport that the overwhelming majority of people around here use.”
Jonathan O’Sullivan, Director of Public Health for Islington said the council has launched an app that encourages people to report on pavements, and the “liveable neighbourhood scheme” has as long-term ambition for wider pavements that are more accessible.
Newspaper journalism student at City, University of London.
Finlay is our Canonbury reporter. Their words have appeared in various student publications at Warwick University. They are always open to new stories and leads.