Police redeployment disappointment P3
Mangawhai growth spurt P12&13
Beat the freeze P22-29
April 1, 2024
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Please fix our paths!
Wellsford residents plead, again Frustrated Wellsford residents are again calling for urgent action to replace slippery and uneven pavers that line the town’s main street, after an elderly man was injured in a recent fall. Owen Treadwell, who has lived in Wellsford all his life, was badly bruised when he tripped and fell outside Caffé Cozy and he’s been confined to his home ever since (see story page 2) When his daughter, Lisa Crisp, posted photos of his injuries on social media, there was a flood of replies from people who had also suffered slips, trips and falls on the yellow brick surface. Injuries included a broken hip, broken foot, cracked ribs, damaged knees and severe bruising, while many people reported slipping and being scared to walk on the path when it was wet, with some resorting to walking in the road, hanging onto walls or even avoiding the town altogether. Coast to Coast medical centre confirmed that it regularly saw patients with injuries caused by people falling on the paths. The chevron-patterned pavers were laid in the latter years of Rodney District Council, before Wellsford became part of Auckland in 2010. They have caused nothing but trouble ever since, according to Rodney Local Board member Colin Smith. “They came from a flat surface in Ōrewa and were put on a hill in Wellsford,” he said. “It’s been an absolute disaster. They’re on a clay base, so they’re all out of kilter, and they’re ‘slippery as’ when it rains.” Smith said the pavers were not made for public use, and nothing could be done except replace them with concrete. “They’ve tried every treatment there is –
t been able to Owen Treadwell hasn’ fall six weeks his leave the house since 2 ge pa ry, ago. Full sto
The pavers are uneven, break easily and are like a skating rink when wet, residents say.
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