Pensioner can’t get mobility scooter out of house after council work

Margaret Barrett struggles to get out of her council bungalow (Image: Nottinghamshire Live)A pensioner has been left unable to access her home in her mobility scooter after refurbishment work left the footpath to her council bungalow so narrow she has to “squash” through it.Margaret Barrett says work on the complex of council properties began two years ago but was halted due to the pandemic.The 82-year-old explained one of the main elements of the refurbishment work was fitting new cladding to the properties, including her own.However, Margaret said this cladding is 18 inches thick and has left the footpath out of her home so narrow that she cannot drive her mobility scooter through it.She has lived in the Nottingham property for 25 years, and her son Michael Thornton, 53, says he feels like he is “banging his head against a wall” in trying to resolve the issues she is facing.Michael told Nottinghamshire Live: “If you are coming out of the front of the property you either have to go down some steps, which is obviously not good for my 82-year-old mum, or go down this footpath.”But the cladding means that the gap between the property and the brick wall at the side of this footpath has narrowed and so there is no way you can get a mobility scooter down it.”You have to squash through it really and to get out of the house, I have to go and guide my mum down the footpath on her walking stick because you can’t even fit her walking frame down it.”The council said two months ago that they were going to either cut this wall back or knock it down.”They have knocked some of the other walls down but nothing has happened yet with my mum’s property and I feel like I’m just being passed from pillar to post.” Margaret’s son Michael is trying his best to resolve the issue with the council (Image: Nottinghamshire Live)In terms of widening Mrs Barrett’s footpath, a Nottingham City Homes spokesperson said: “We have indicated to Mrs Barrett that we will be removing the section of wall close to her house and that work will be carried out.”We will take a look at the other issues raised to see if we can widen the front path and will be in touch shortly to discuss that.”As well as the work to the front of Mrs Barrett’s property, Mr Thornton also said the council has installed a back door on it.But he said the council has so far refused to fit a ramp on this outside door.He said: “She never had this back door before and her previous fire exit was actually climbing out of the window.”But the council have said no to putting this ramp in because they said there wasn’t a back door there before.”Mrs Barrett said: “I am really struggling with this and my son has done everything he can to try and help so I don’t know what else we can do.”The main thing is getting a ramp for this back door because if I get that then I’ll be happy.”They’ve had a letter from my doctor explaining why I need a ramp but if they need another letter I’ll happily get them one.”Mr Thornton added: “I can’t understand why they won’t do it.”My mum has worked hard throughout her life and always paid her taxes, but she now has arthritis, dementia and bladder problems and she isn’t getting the support she needs.”Addressing why Mrs Barrett was not getting a ramp, a Nottingham City Council spokesperson said: “We always try to help residents with home alterations, but we have to base this on criteria which is consistent and fair for everyone.”Mrs Barrett was assessed by a member of the Occupational Therapy team who determined she is not eligible for a ramp as these are provided where residents are either dependent on a wheelchair for mobility or eligible for an NHS wheelchair.”Mrs Barrett doesn’t meet this criteria, however we’re happy to see what other support might be available.”