A disabled woman can't get around outside her hospital St.Catherine's, on Star Hill, because there are no dropped kerbs - surely, the fact that it's a hospital, this should have been addressed years ago? There must be other disabled people affected. What a ridiculous situation!

Hi Bumbles.. ..

Not so ridiculous really when you consider St Catherine's Almshouses date back to 1805 and are Grade: II Listed (Date Listed: 23 August 1974)

http://tinyurl.com/38773n3

The rear entrances open directly onto the Delce road with no pavement at all between the rear doors and the road. The almshouses are built on a what I can only describe as a peninsula surrounded by very busy roads. They are serviced by a Cul-De-Sac extension from City way and were in times past located next to a tram stop which is still there at the top of Star Hill.

I also believe many of the doorways at the almshouses have been retrofitted with temporary wooden ramps due to the Grade II listing. All in not the best place to house anyone with a disability who wishes to be independently mobile.

Can you supply a link to the news story you are quoting from.

Paul

Hi Bumbles

Your comment "It certainly explains the situation" throws up the question why was the Lady placed there. Back in December 2009 I was leaving Swanway plumbers merchant on the Maidstone Rd, Rochester when a group of residents came tearing out of the Watts Almshouses on their Mobility scooters wearing santa hats (too much sherry in the mince pies i thought to myself) They seemed full of Christmas joy as they made their way along towards the high street, and if you know this part of the Maidstone Rd it does have dropped kerbs but the footpath on the Watts side going to the high street is banked and they had no problem negotiating the slopes. It seems a shame the lady in question being resident at St. Catherine's is missing out not only on her independence but socially too.