Reports of falls on Largs pavements prompts plea for action

Largs Community Council (LCC) heard a plea for action to improve broken and damaged footways - and was told a number of pedestrians had been injured in recent weeks.

LCC heard that on one recent Saturday two people suffered falls outside one business on Irvine Road, while the News has also been made aware of a fall in Greenock Road, outside Nardini's.

LCC member Jamie Black told the organisation's most recent meeting: "I was walking past Geraldo's and a lady fell and I heard the smack off the ground. She didn't even have time to put her hands to her face and got a big gash.

Community councillor Jamie Black (Image: Newsquest)
"I patched her all up with assistance from Geraldo's staff who gave me a first aid box.

"The staff told me that there had been three falls over recent weeks and people getting hurt.

"It is really rough and needs to get upgraded as a priority.

"The lady had a huge gash, and I sat with her and phoned her friend who was living in Millport - the lady who was hurt had come all the way up from Manchester.

"It is really bad."

Independent councillor Ian Murdoch said he had raised the pavements issue "dozens of times" with Amey, the company responsible for maintenance of the A78 and its adjoining pavements.

He also pointed out that he had asked Amey to draw up a pavement improvement plan for the full length of the A78 through Largs.

He added: "The previous maintenance manager for the A78 is no longer in position, and I am in the process of writing to Transport Scotland to complain about it.

"I am aware of three people that have fallen recently including one in Irvine Road - a lady who actually ended up seriously hurt because she fell on the pavement."

The concerns have been backed up by businesswoman Caroline Dawson, who said one recent incident had happened outside Geraldo's gift shop, run by her daughter Toni.

Caroline Dawson and daughter Toni (Image: Geraldo's)
Ms Dawson said: "I have once seen someone falling out of their wheelchair, but that area got fixed. We don't want to see something like that happen again. You can see how bad it is in places.

"We have had a number of people tripping recently - and members of staff have rushed out to help.

"It is a disgrace and really needs to get fixed as soon as possible.

"One of the incidents happened at one of our events a few weeks ago when we rushed out to help after someone had fallen - they hadn't been in the shop but we went out to help.

"Later the same day a gentleman had a bad fall.

"The bottom line is that the pavements need to be made safe."

Amey and Transport Scotland have been contacted for comment.