AN ELDERLY woman who suffered a serious fall has condemned Devon County Council as arrogant and disrespectful for their lack of action.

Despite several years of complaints and repeated requests for repair being presented to the county’s Highways division, nothing has been done to put right a short section of unpaved path used as a short cut by many Bovey Tracey residents.

On August 18 this year, Grace Dray of Coombe Close, Bovey Tracey, fell across the path and suffered a serious arm injury.

Grace, aged 94, was taking the popular short cut into town when she stumbled and took a fall.

The throughway comprises a short section of broken ground and an asphalt footbath edged by brickwork.

Grace explained: ‘I was popping to the shops when I stumbled on the brick edging.’

The pensioner found herself flat on the ground and as her arms were injured she was unable to lever herself up.

‘I shouted out for help a few times but there was no-one round. Eventually a woman opening her window heard me and came to my aid.

‘Blood was seeping into my clothes and a large section of skin on my arm was left flapping about.’

The resident, who Grace only knows as Alison, called for an ambulance but after being told it would be a five-hour wait called her daughter Alex and the pair took Grace to Newton Abbot Hospital, where she was eventually seen by a doctor.

‘Alison and Alex were marvellous, they stayed with me the whole time,’ Grace said.

In the subsequent 11 weeks she has made twice-weekly visits to a surgery in Bovey Tracey for check-ups and dressing changes.

‘The NHS were fantastic, I’d like to thank them… but not Devon County Council,’ Grace said.

After her fall she wrote to DCC relating her experience and wanting action to fix the path. That was 11 weeks ago and she’s still waiting for a reply.

‘I have since written a second letter and I’m still waiting to hear back. I told them how I fell and they needed to take notice that it needs repairing. I said they were arrogant and disrespectful in not replying to me.’

Grace said: ‘The path’s been in a dreadful state for some time, and the recent heavy rainstorms have washed away a lot of material leaving large stones on show,but it is still used as a short cut by everyone.

‘It’s used by many elderly people who find it difficult to walk on and I’ve even seen a man using a walking frame to get along there. I dread to think that he might fall some day.’

Les Calder, speaking for the local residents’ association and neighbourhood watch, said: ‘We’ve have been asking for years for something to be done, and have raised the issue several times at town council meetings. We’ve warned there would be an accident one day.’ It is believed a wheelchair user overturned there last year.

A spokesman for Bovey Tracey Town Council said: ‘Sadly the town council has no jurisdiction over this pathway. We have no power to effect a repair as it is owned by DCC. All we can do is pass on residents’ concerns.’

Town councillor George Gribble is also a county councillor and sits on the Highways committee at County Hall. He has passed the issue on to the Rights of Way officer and left it in their hands, and has also met informally on site with the chairman of the residents’ association. He said: ‘Sadly money is tight and it is probably not high priority. It is, after all, a bridleway used by horses.’

The town council has also lent its weight to calls for action by contacting County Hall directly.

The paper contacted Devon County Council, and a DCC spokesperson said: ‘We are sorry to hear that Mrs Dray tripped on the path and was hurt and we do hope she makes a swift and full recovery.

‘We have inspected the area and concluded that the level difference between the footpath and the bridleway is the issue.

‘To resolve this a Tarmac “fillet” (small ramp) will be constructed in front of the path.

‘This will be completed within the next two weeks and we will write to Mrs Dray to let her know of our plans.’  *The new ramp was in fact quickly installed after the paper spoke to the council. The bridleway remains unchanged.

Grace had the last word, saying: ‘The NHS have been so wonderful. I just think it’s a great shame that Devon County Council have decided not to spend their money putting this right and leave the NHS to pick up the bill.’