A Sutherland pensioner is taking Highland Council to task over steps in his home village which he believes are dangerous.
Bill Ross lives in sheltered housing in Ardgay, with the steps leading from near his home down to the main road near the village shop.
The retired architectural draughtsman and surveyor believes the footpath doesn’t comply with building regulations and has designed his own alternative arrangement.
The 72-year-old says there have been accidents in the past and is concerned about increased foot traffic since the village shop was refurbished.
He has also hit out at the council for carrying “pointless and insignificant” patching and repair work when he believes a wider repair job is needed.
The council has now agreed to carry out an urgent inspection of the flight of steps and have said they will take action if it is deemed necessary.
Mr Ross said that he has examined the structure and has has considered the “risings and goings” – the vertical and horizontal dimensions making up the flight.
He said: “It is incomprehensible to me that no-one in a position of authority has ever acted to rectify this dangerous situation.”
He said that he had been informed of a number of accidents that had occurred on the steps going back several years.
He added: “The recent opening of the popular Ardgay Stores business has greatly increased the daily use of these steps by residents of the sheltered housing complex, whose number now include a visually impaired person.
“They also serve to access to the Finches Fun Park by a growing number of parents and young children locally.”
His proposed alternative involves two flights steps of a more even style, with a central rest landing in between.
A Highland Council spokeswoman said: “These steps have been in-situ for years – as long as the nearby housing development.
“We have organised an urgent inspection and will take appropriate action after our maintenance officer has prepared a report.”
