Wymondham Subway: a missing dropped kerb, and what happens when you chase it
he new subway near Wymondham railway station is a welcome improvement. But a Wymondham resident who uses a mobility scooter told me it has a problem.
A dropped kerb has been installed at the bend on the new path. There was no matching one on the opposite side of Station Road. A dropped kerb without a partner is no use to a wheelchair or scooter user. They are left with the same tight, steep bend they faced before the works.
What I did
I took it to Norfolk County Council Highways on Monday 5 October and asked four things:
- Can the opposite kerb be added while the contractor is still on site?
- Were the subway works and the planned Station Road zebra crossing upgrade checked together for accessibility?
- When will the zebra crossing scheme be approved and delivered?
- Who owns the issue, so the resident has one point of contact?
I also pointed out the obvious cost argument. The contractor is on site until 27 October. Doing it now is cheaper than coming back later.
What happened
Within hours, Highways officers confirmed there will be a corresponding dropped kerb on the northern side of the junction. Officers also spotted other issues on a site visit:
- No tactile paving on the subway side of the crossing.
- Some signs mounted too low, which may be a hazard to cyclists. They are being checked.
- An interim measure is being considered: a temporary bolt-down ramp to help wheelchair users until the permanent work is done.
The zebra crossing upgrade is a separate scheme funded by the developer under a legal agreement with the council (a section 278 agreement). The drawings are ready, the agreement is being drafted, and the works are most likely to happen next year.
What I’m still pressing for
I want a firm date for the kerb and the tactile paving, and I’m asking whether the temporary ramp can go in now. A promise for next year is not much use to someone who needs to cross the road this week.
Spotted a problem on your street?
You can report dropped kerbs, damaged pavements and other highway faults directly on the Norfolk County Council report a highways problem page. If it is not getting fixed, contact me and I will chase it. Photos and a precise location help a great deal.
Cllr Gary Douglas-Beet represents Hingham, Deopham & Morley, Silfield, Spooner Row, South Wymondham, Suton, Wreningham and Wicklewood on Norfolk County Council.
