Sharing and Listening 26th July 2026

At a recent Sharing and Listening session at WECC, a number of people from St.Frideswide’s and the wider community met to hear the experiences of those who had suffered injuries and/or other accidents due to unsafe pavements and paths. It is becoming clear that safe accessibility in the area around WECC and particular parts of Bletchley are a major issue. One of those who attended the session as a member of the PCC (John Giles) has shared his thoughts below. After you’ve read the short blog, do have an in-person conversation with John to get a fuller understanding of the story sharing session.

Feelings and Thoughts

Vulnerable people are having accidents because of the poorly maintained infrastructure. The vulnerable face a high level of risk leaving their homes. It seems that the “acceptable limits” (for pavements) are applied selectively or dishonestly and clearly illogically. At best they are not fit for purpose. Steep cambers on paths making it difficult to use wheelchairs, inappropriate planting of trees and shrubs around pathways breaking up the surface; the overgrown brambles reduce available space while planting around busy/fast road crossings restrict visibility to a dangerous degree. In some cases there’s evidence of misreporting recommendations and remedial advice from surveyors etc.

In response to these reported incidents, ridiculous answers and advice is given from council representatives. The accidents are resulting in life changing injuries or extended recovery periods during which the burden of care and its cost falls onto the victim and their families.

One of the issues highlighted is that of mental health. Worrying about care and its cost, confined to their home for fear of another accident occupies the minds of our community who have experienced this. I’m cross about the systemic failings and dishonesty of the council! I have noticed and grumbled about the same design and maintenance issues but not realised the wider implications - this is embarrassing.

Questions Raised

It seems that the focus across the city is on expensive, publicity seeking projects at the expense of creating a safe functional living environment for residents. This was apparent in a previous meeting with MP Callum Anderson - his focus is on the redevelopment of central Bletchley and the new development alongside Eaton Leys.

The only way of getting a positive response is by getting support from an elected member of the council.

What training and/or instruction do the council’s representatives get to deal with these sorts of issues? Whatever it is, it’s inadequate or deliberately evasive. Most organisations are moving to systems that avoid direct contact with ‘customers’; these systems often have limited functionality that the less ‘tech savvy’ can’t navigate and so are not fit for purpose.