A PETITION has been launched urging the council to improve Highcliffe’s “neglected” pavements.

The chairman of the Highcliffe Centre Partnership, Malcolm Mawbey, claims that block paving in the main shopping area of Lymington Road has become “dangerous”.

Dorset County Council is responsible for its maintenance, but Mr Mawbey said the authority has failed to keep the pavement in an acceptable condition despite more than four years of complaints.

“The condition of the pavement has worsened with the neglect,” he said. “It is now very dangerous where the surface has become uneven, forming potential trip hazards.

“Also depressions have been formed and rainwater collects in large puddles.

“There are black scars of Tarmac where utilities companies have dug up the pavement to repair the services, but not replaced the blocks.”

He added that the condition of the pavement could result in pedestrians falling over.

“This could have tragic consequences where the pavements are narrow and the traffic is travelling close to the kerb,” he said.

The partnership’s petition claims this also presents dangers for those using mobility scooters, pushing prams or wearing high heels.

It adds that the “state of the pavement is a disincentive to shoppers”.

Ward councillor Lesley Dedman has backed the group’s campaign and called for Dorset County Council to rectify the problems as soon as possible.

She added that in such an attractive area she does not want to see the block paving replaced with Tarmac.

A Dorset County Council spokesman said: "All petitions are passed to our democratic services team and once approved will be published our website.

"Details of the petition and the outcome of the agreed action will also be posted on the website."

The public can sign the petition at the Highcliffe Post Office, Highcliffe Library, Tesco Express or online at https://epetitions.dorsetforyou.com/00,epetition,12143,694,00.htm.