An 86-year-old woman has called for damaged pavements in Horsham to be repaired, saying uneven paving is making life difficult for people who rely on walking frames.

Gwen Holloway has raised concerns about the condition of the paving in the Carfax and along Brighton Road, saying it creates difficulties for older residents and people with mobility problems.

She believes heavy vehicles, including lorries and food vans visiting the town centre, may be contributing to the damage.

“Everywhere you go in Horsham, it's terrible, especially as I've got a walker,” she said.

An 86-year-old woman has called for damaged pavements in Horsham to be repaired, saying uneven paving is making life difficult for people who rely on walking frames. Photo: Gwen Holloway

placeholder image — An 86-year-old woman has called for damaged pavements in Horsham to be repaired, saying uneven paving is making life difficult for people who rely on walking frames. Photo: Gwen Holloway

"It's just awful for everybody with these walkers when the pavements are so bad.”

Gwen, of Townhill Close, said her 88-year-old husband had suffered two or three falls in recent months.

She also described how a friend – who uses a walking frame – fell after its wheels became caught in a crack between paving slabs, causing her to fall over the frame.

“That's why everybody walks with their head down, looking and making sure they don't fall,” Gwen said.

Gwen said she does not visit the Carfax particularly often because she cannot walk very far. She believes the condition of the pavements is a wider problem.

She also highlighted uneven paving along Brighton Road, including an area with herringbone-patterned slabs that she finds difficult to navigate with a walking frame.

The pensioner said she and her husband had previously raised concerns with the council but felt little had been done in response.

“They accept what we're telling them, but nobody's coming up with anything,” she said.

West Sussex County Council spokesperson said it was working with Horsham District Council on plans to improve the town centre, including addressing concerns about the existing surfaces.

A spokesperson said: “We continue to work in partnership with Horsham District Council to progress a number of projects to improve the town centre through the refreshed Horsham Growth Deal.

“These include the designs for improved public realm and road conditions through the Carfax, Bishopric and Worthing Road, which will address concerns relating to the current surfaces.

“In the meantime, we undertake safety inspections of this area of the public highway on a monthly basis.”

The council also encouraged residents to report pavement problems, including missing paving slabs and trip hazards, through its online reporting tool.