Man waits four years for drop kerb installation

Michael Partridge says he has been waiting four years for a drop kerb to be installed

A man who was promised a dropped kerb four years ago still has not got one, despite being told repeatedly one would be put in.

Michael Partridge, 74, was promised the work outside his property in Penguin Close, Strood, as part of a package of alterations by mhs homes in August 2021.

The other jobs, including the building of a wet room and the creation of a hard-standing area for his car outside his home, were completed but the dropped kerb is still missing.

The housing association said it had been waiting for permission from Medway Council, while the authority said it hoped work would begin in a week, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Mr Partridge has to park directly outside his house because he uses an oxygen tank

Mr Partridge said: "I've been banging my head against the wall, you know. I've been contacting people, my daughter has for me, even my next-door neighbour has, but we just don't seem to get anywhere.

"If you get through to somebody, eventually they say 'Oh yeah, we'll sort that' and that's it, you never hear anything back."

Mr Partridge has the lung disease emphysema and needs to carry an oxygen tank with him wherever he goes.

When there was a delay in getting the dropped kerb, he did suggest a disabled parking bay instead, but the only viable spot would be across the street which is too far for him to walk.

It means every time Michael wants to park up, he has to mount the kerb.

The housing association said it understood Mr Partridge's frustration

An mhs spokesperson said: "We understand Mr Partridge's frustration at the length of time taken for the kerb to be dropped.

"The dropped kerb was agreed as part of a package of improvements that also included a new wet room and driveway, both of which have been completed.

"Unfortunately, the kerb cannot be dropped until we have the relevant permission from Medway Council.

"However, we're working closely with the local authority to resolve this situation as quickly as possible."

Medway Council said: "Work to install the dropped kerb is due to take place next week.

"We are investigating a delay in processing payment for the work."