CAMPAIGNERS are calling for urgent repairs on pavements in a Hampshire town before wheelchair users and pedestrians are badly injured.

Staff and residents at Romsey’s Leonard Cheshire care home Fryers House drew up a list of faults with the pavements between the Botley Road residence and the town centre and sent it to Hampshire’s road chiefs.

Led by Suzie Haknett and Sarah Reason, the team found 17 problems ranging from potholes to awkward pedestrian crossings.

“These faults make going into Romsey both difficult and dangerous for us as wheelchair-users,” said Suzie. “These faults caused the front castor of my wheelchair to buckle very badly, putting it and myself out of action for a week.

“I was very nearly thrown out of my wheelchair. This has happened several times.”

Suzie was confined to a wheelchair after being injured in motorcycle crash ten years ago.

Volunteer co-ordinator Diana Craven, added: “It’s a major dilemma for service users when they go to the town centre in wheelchairs.”

Gillian Stancer from the Leonard Cheshire charity said something had to be done to make it easier for disabled people.

“The pavements are so bumpy and this is very noticeable in the town centre. Some of the pavements are also narrow, which makes it difficult to stay on them if you are in a wheelchair.”

Hampshire County Council’s Cabinet spokesman for the environment, Mel Kendal, promised action.

“We were not aware of any safety issues on the pavements between Botley Road and the town centre, but I have asked engineers to review their condition,” he said.

“We will also consider constructing crossings to help people in wheelchairs or pushing prams and whether any improvements can be made to the route from Fryers House to the centre of Romsey.”