Pensioner campaigns to make 'dangerous' Humberston car park safe for shoppers
A PENSIONER is leading a one-woman-campaign to improve a "dangerous" road surface that she says is causing shoppers to trip up and hurt themselves.
Dee Breckon, 71, has been campaigning outside the shops in Fieldhouse Road, Humberston, for hours at a time collecting signatures for a petition in a bid to make the owners of the land take notice.
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TAKING ACTION: Dee Breckon, of Humberston, with the petition calling for work to be carried out on the car park in front of shops in Fieldhouse Road. Picture: Rick Byrne. Buy this photo at www.thisisphotosales.co.uk/grimsby or by contacting 08444 060910
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REPAIRS WANTED: The pot-holed surface.
As reported, a search has been launched by ward councillors to find the owners and force them to repair the surface which is littered with potholes after a series of harsh winters.
And although reassured by councillors' efforts, Dee, of St Christopher's Road, said she will not stop campaigning until she sees action taken – and so far she has collected more than 200 signatures.
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"Over the past few months I have gone to councillors and spoken to officials, but nothing has been done about it," she said.
"It is getting worse, and I just thought something should be done. So far it is just me out here, but I have spoken to a lot of people who feel the same.
"All we are asking is for the grass to be kept cut and for the area outside to be surfaced like a proper car park.
"I will campaign so hard before a really nasty accident is caused."
During her campaign, Dee says she has come across many people who have suffered injury or misfortune as a result of the poorly kept path and car park surface.
One woman fell and severely twisted her ankle, while the suspension on a man's car had been damaged after driving over a pothole, she said.
Dee herself has also fallen victim, after reversing into a broken bollard and causing £120 of damage to her car.
But the main problem seems to be tracking down the owners of the privately owned site – who the shop managers claim not to know either.
Dee said: "Surely someone knows who this land belongs to? Surely someone can help us?"
Her thoughts are echoed by the many residents who have signed the petition. Among them were Valerie and Steven Cutting, of Coniston Crescent, Humberston.
Valerie said: "It has been going on years and getting worse all the time. The person who owns it should feel very guilty if someone gets hurt."
Steven said: "We have to go to the chemist on a regular basis and every time we complain about it."
Michael and Susan Sinclair also want to see something done.
Michael said: "It is dangerous for people and cars and totally unrealistic to think this is acceptable. Either make it a proper car park or stop people from using it as one."
All three Humberston ward councillors have taken the issue to North East Lincolnshire Council, whose legal department is trying to establish who the landowner is.
Comments
by Character1
Friday, March 01 2013, 12:03AM
“I know I'm a bit late commenting - language may have been stronger at the time - If the land referred to is privately owned, why use Council resources to remind land owners of their responsibilities? And why waste time 'campaigning' (or busybodying) - getting signatures but no solutions - very useful!! Its so easy to blame the Council for everything.
If you're not happy with the state of the parking facilities offered by the shops - go somewhere else - simple!
There are much greater hazards in the Humberston area caused by selfish, lazy residents who insist on leaving their cars on the road rather than use their driveway or garage. Not only that they also park across their gateway thinking it belongs to them - but dropped-kerbs are for ALL users - pushchairs, wheelchairs etc. Then we have the idiots that park on bends, corners, grass verges.......Ok rant over - I have more useful things to do. :)”
by grimoldie
Saturday, September 29 2012, 7:49AM
“Massive car park next door at the coach house most of the time it is empty surely a deal can be made. Anyway once Dr Sharma has moved his surgery the Chemist will probably shut and that is the majority of the traffic gone.”
by davendogs
Friday, September 28 2012, 3:41PM
“Can't think why so many objections. It was a offer of sensible advice. Yes, I know the area well. Mum.Dad, Sister and her family live that way on. As a reminder it is a car park not a public footpath, though open to pedestrian use. If you screwed your suspension on that you where either going some or the suspension was on its last legs anyway. That could have been a blessing in disguise.”
by Waltham101
Friday, September 28 2012, 10:24AM
“@ davendogs - have you been the area in question ? It is almost impossible to step over/walk round the holes, and if there happens to be rain, which there often is in the UK then the entire area is covered in sitting water and you cannot see the holes. The shopping area is not the only problem, Fieldhouse Road is disgusting too; if I lived in the area, and paid so much council tax etc. I would be as mad as hell that the roads were in such an awful state; get your parish council to sort things out ! ! !”
by TheWrangler
Friday, September 28 2012, 10:12AM
“To a certain extent, I cant help agreeing with you Davendogs,
If the shops do not own the land, they must know who they pay rent to.....presumably the owners?!?!....Companies house will then have a registered address, available to the public through their website.
Surely the land registry would also have a record?
But....
How fast was the man driving in the carpark to damage his suspension on a pot hole?
How is not looking where you are going when reversing and hitting a bollard the fault of the carpark? That is 100% driver error and to be honest, outside the shops, you should be thankful it was not a child you killed!”
by smoker
Friday, September 28 2012, 10:03AM
“Dee, if you want to find out who the owner of the land is just put in a claim to become owner of the 'so called' unowned land. I bet the owner soon comes out of the woodwork.”
by davendogs
Friday, September 28 2012, 9:32AM
“In the meantime I have a solution..
Look where you are going and step over/walk around the damaged bits.”