Friday 25 January 2008

Pennycook Lane Sheltered Housing

Some time ago, following my request after speaking with residents here, the City Council installed a useful handrail on the southern end of the pavement here, near to Perth Road. Pennycook Lane runs downhill to Perth Road and the elderly residents in the sheltered housing found it a hazard to walk down in icy/snowy and wet conditions.
Although the handrail has proved a boon, it only covered the southern end of the pavement as the northern end (the sheltered houses nearest to Blackness Primary School) has a more gradual gradient and doesn't meet the usual criteria for a handrail. I did, however, made the case to the City Council that it left a concern on the part of the elderly folk who live up the top end of the sheltered housing complex about the lack of a rail at the northern part, which does nonetheless have a slop downwards towards the section that already has a handrail fitted.
I have now had feedback from the City Council as follows : "I can understand the situation where the adjacent complex has two accesses, serves the elderly, and some may feel disadvantaged that the handrail terminates at those lower premises. Under the circumstances I will arrange for the handrail to be extended for a short section to the north."
Naturally I am very pleased at this outcome which will be warmly welcomed by the residents.