Student falls on 'lethal' pavement

During the sub zero temperatures of the past week the pavements around Lurgan town centre became almost impassable.

And for one university student carrying out a good deed the conditions led to her almost missing vital exams.

Windsor Bakery worker, Bobby-Lee Vennard, was helping a woman carry cakes to her car when she slipped and fell on a piece of icy pavement.

The 19-year-old suffered a sprain and has had to have her arm in a splint, she said: "I felt my feet about to go, but it was already too late and I hit the pavement."

Doctors have said it's a minor injury, but they fear the sprain could be much worse if the pain continues.

Bobby-Lee went on: "I was lucky it was my left arm because I have been doing my university exams this week.

"I went up to Coleraine this week and all the pavements and roads were will gritted - but when I got home it was snow and ice everywhere."

The girl's mother, Kerri-Lynn, said: "I am sure my daughter was not the only one to hurt herself, the pavements were lethal."

The council and Roads Service have both refused to grit the pavements across the borough.

In 2001 following a debate in the Assembly it was decided it was impractical for the Roads Service to grit pavements.

However, the Department for Regional Development did write to councils with proposals for partnering arrangements for the removal of snow and ice from town centre footways and pedestrian areas.

Some councils indicated a willingness to participate in the proposed arrangements but only two signed up to the agreement.

A DRD spokeswoman said: "Roads Service does provide salt bins, placed at strategic locations, for use by the general public on a self help basis, to help prevent the formation of snow and ice on roads and pavements."

Craigavon Borough Council decided not to enter into an agreement, officials said there was not sufficient indemnity - essentially legal cover in the event of a personal injury claim.

And there was not enough money for the council to undertake the task with funds having to be paid for out of the rates' bill.

Craigavon Alderman Arnold Hatch is a member of the Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA).

He said: "It's not fair of the Roads Service to palm off the responsibility to the councils, especially given the minister's refusal to hand over responsibility for roads under the Review of Public Administration.

"The council refused to take on the gritting issue because there is not the funds and there is a problem of insurance.

"At NILGA we are working to get the Assembly to issue the relevant indemnity to councils to allow them to grit the pavements and address the finding issues."

He added: "I have been out campaigning in Lurgan for the by-election and the pavements are treacherous.

"The ratepayer is already under stress without having to add the cost of gritting pavements. NILGA has timetabled the issue to be sorted out, hopefully, before next winter - but the Assembly can move at its own pace.

"But we shouldn't have to wait another 10 years."