Tracey Onslow was very pleased to see that - even with drastic delays in the Highways programme due firstly to flooding and then, of course, Covid – Highways had managed to install the new handrail along the steps of the alleyway, which runs from Bewdley Road to Church Walk. 

This issue was raised with Tracey at the end of last year, when the old handrail, which was attached to the wall, was ripped off by vandals.  Highways had carried out a site survey prior to Christmas, but could not do a simple replacement because of the age of the wall.  A second site survey was then required to decide how this was best replaced and it was felt a rail attached by way of the steps rather than the wall would be better.  A design was then done and the rail made, but the initial installation date was delayed, due to all Highways teams being recalled, understandably, to handle the excessive flooding across Worcestershire. 

Undeterred, once the flooding was under control, Tracey chased again and was given a date in March.   As soon as the lockdown happened, Tracey was fearful that there would be no installation until the Summer and so was delighted when a resident rang her to say that it had indeed been installed.  Tracey said “This is an incredibly steep set of steps, which can be lethal when wet, so it was imperative that the rail be reinstated.   I was so pleased to see that Highways had managed to do this, even during lockdown”.  Thanks to Worcestershire County Council.