Sharing and Listening 16th Aug 2026 'Safe accessibility and infrastructure'

This is my second blog, having participated in two campaign meetings at the Water Eaton Church centre. I had never written a blog until very recently. Here are some of my thoughts and feelings after the second ‘Sharing and Listening’ session at WECC.

Most of the community members who were at the first meeting (26th July) came to the second one too. There were a few new faces, those who had heard about the campaign, who came to find out more and to share their own stories.

It was shocking to hear how extreme the injuries can be which are caused by tripping on the path, even worse than what we’d heard before. We heard about one lady who had died as a result of her injuries a few days after her fall!

The team that met on 16th August is made up of ordinary community members, most of whom live in our parish. This group is developing as we get to know one another and learn about each other’s skills, experience and levels of confidence. We are figuring out who can and wants to participate actively in this campaign as it takes shape.

We set ourselves a goal that would be achievable, relatively small and clearly defined with a realistic expectation of when it could be achieved. Identifying a specific area that needs repair has been important. A number of the group had mentioned the same stretch of path along Manor Road that is in a particularly poor state of repair. We all agreed that we need to build on the relationship of trust that St Frideswide’s has developed with local and city councillors.

All of this should help us get through the process with a positive outcome: a safe pavement on either side of the Manor Road leading up to the bus stops used by many in the community.

As the campaign group plans mischievous and fun ways of drawing attention to the problems, we hope to achieve this change for the common good of our wider community.

John Giles