RESIDENTS in town have been left stranded because a developer didn’t build any footpaths, making it “dangerous to go out on foot,” local people say.

The 45 houses in Choules Close were built by Redrow Homes in 2014/15, on the outskirts of Pershore, on land adjacent to Allesborough Farm. The plans for the development were reportedly conditional on the provision of footpaths to link with existing pathways and a new bus stop, but nearly four years after the houses were first occupied the paths and bus stop have not been built.

A resident, Chris Slezakowski said: “I can’t believe they didn’t build the footpaths”

“We moved into our new house in 2016 and soon realised that there were no footpaths leading anywhere. The Planning Inspector made a ruling that obliged Redrow to build the paths before the houses were occupied, but this hasn’t been followed through. We can’t walk safely to the shops, a bus stop or even post a letter.”

Gordon Robinson, another resident said:” It’s ridiculous.”

“We have to take care when walking from our houses into Pershore because of the speed of passing vehicles on Rebecca Road (60mph limit) and the uneven road surface and verges. We must watch out for buses and lorries that use the same route and who don’t expect to see pedestrians in the road. In the spring and summer it is just about manageable but in the autumn and winter it is treacherous.”

There are no street lights along Rebecca Road and residents have become used to carrying torches if they have to venture out at night.

Sally Stewart, another resident said: “Once it gets dark in the evenings, it is very dangerous to go out on foot on icy, unlit, unrestricted roads. I feel particularly sorry for those people with pushchairs, small children, or needing the use of mobility devices because they have absolutely no safe way to reach local facilities even in broad daylight.”

“I am surprised that no one has been hurt yet” said Mr Slezakowski.

The residents set up an action group with the objective to see the paths built that would connect Choules Close with existing footpaths on Holloway and Worcester Road.

Mark Marsh, Technical Director for Redrow Midlands, said:

“We’d like to reassure local residents that we are working closely with Worcestershire County Council to ensure work is carried out to build a footpath at our Pershore development as soon as we are legally able. Ongoing works on Station Road means work cannot be carried out at the same time on the footpath for health and safety reasons.

“We’ve kept residents, Wychavon District Council and the local Councillor up to date, and instructed a contractor. As it stands, the County Council has provided a provisional start date in November 2018 for the footpath to be installed.”