Councillor Warns: Damaged Footpaths Pose Serious Safety Threat

Cllr Jade Lavan, who represents Zetland ward, raised safety concerns at a recent Redcar and Cleveland Council meeting. She said she reports ongoing footpath problems regularly to the council.

Councillor warns that damaged footpaths create a safety threat for many residents. She highlighted an ageing population, wheelchair users, people with mobility issues and sight impairments.

Local concerns and request for action

Ms Lavan noted residents with dementia, disabilities and families with pushchairs are also affected. She asked the cabinet member for highways and transport for a timetable of planned improvements.

She also requested a ward walk so councillors could see the problems first hand. Ms Lavan left the Labour group last year and now sits as an independent councillor.

Council inspection regime

Councillor Carl Quartermain agreed to meet Cllr Lavan for the proposed walk. He said footpaths across the borough are inspected every six months.

Safety-critical defects identified during inspections are scheduled for repair. Additional inspections take place when residents or ward members report issues.

Funding, schemes and recent work

Mr Quartermain warned that funding for footpath resurfacing was limited. The 2025/26 programme includes nine schemes across the borough.

One of the larger projects was Lincoln Road in Zetland. That resurfacing covered 1,700 square metres.

Damage causes and repairs

Tree roots were named as a constant problem in several parts of the ward. Sections of path have deteriorated and been replaced with tarmac as a result.

Repairs on some sections were completed last month. Further remedial works are already planned for delivery in the coming months.

Next steps

Cllr Lavan seeks clearer timescales and stronger commitment to repairs. The planned ward walk should allow both councillors to assess priorities together.