Family appealing for ramp to be installed to help residents

Elderly residents attempting to use the steep steps on Major Street, Milnrow

The Reeve family, who live on Major Street, Milnrow are appealing to Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) and Rochdale Council to have a ramp installed to replace steep concrete steps to help elderly residents easily access their homes.

Jodie Reeve, whose elderly grandfather is currently living with them on Major Street, said: “For years we have been asking them to provide a ramp on Major Street due to the only access to the houses being large, steep concrete steps. However, we have never got a response and when we held a street meeting with the council and Councillor Andy Kelly we were told a ramp was never going to happen.”

The family want a ramp putting in place as Jodie’s grandfather, who is unable to walk properly and is usually wheelchair bound, has had to “shuffle up the steps on his bottom over fear from falling backwards paired with his inability to walk steadily.”

Jodie added: “I find it really unfair and disgusting that the council can discriminate against the elderly like this. What would happen if a resident of the street had a bad accident and was wheelchair bound? They wouldn't be able to get to their home.”

It is also understood that residents in the area have to carry their wheelie bins down the steps and then pull them back up.

“My own mum fell when trying to put her wheelie bin out only a few weeks ago. Adding to this, we've also been told we are not allowed a grit box to stop falls and slips happening on these steps, yet the street located behind ours (St James' Street) is allowed a grit box. We have complained so many times and this is going unheard,” added Jodie.

Councillor Andy Kelly, who has met with the family, said: “There are six houses at the top of the steps. Five are in private ownership and one is owned by RBH. The land and the steps in front of the house are owned by RBH and the road and pavement are owned by Rochdale Council.

“The steps are so tricky that the bin men won't move the bins down them, so it’s left to residents to attempt it.

"This older gentleman moving to these houses has highlighted an ongoing issues that has been a bone of contention to many people.

“Although it's of little consolation to the gentleman in question, it’s about time that RBH got to grips with the land that was transferred and the council and RBH could contribute jointly to the solving the problem by building a ramp and bin refuge at the same time to save money in the long run.”

An RBH spokesperson said: “There are six homes on the raised section of Major Street; one of these homes is owned by RBH, with the remaining five being in private ownership.

“We have previously considered a ramp in this location and looked at a number of options, however the space to achieve the required gradient is extremely limited.

“RBH has wide variety of accessible homes across the Borough and we are always happy to work with our customers to discuss potential rehousing options.”