WORRIED councillors feared a child or parent with a pram could have suffered a serious accident after a damaged stretch of pavement was left unfixed. 

The pavement outside the Oak Tree Centre in Harwich Road, Colchester, had been left crumbling and uneven after the paving wore away. 

Lib Dem councillors Catherine Spindler, Paul Smith and Natalie Sommers had warned the damaged pavement was an accident waiting to happen. 

Mrs Spindler said she had repeatedly reported the issues to Essex County Council with no suggestion a fix would be carried out. 

She said: "It is alarming that the county council have shown little to no interest in taking urgent action to repair and make safe this stretch of pavement.

"None of us wish to see any child or pedestrian seriously hurt and are doing our best in our area to ensure that everyone is safe however we seem to reach a wall of inactivity when there is a serious issue impacting on the welfare of residents and visitors.”

The Oak Tree Centre serves as a vital community hub, with facilities such as a children’s centre, midwife services, and various groups and clubs catering to both the young and elderly.

Former councillors Mike Hogg and Helen Chuah, who volunteer at the centre, had also voiced their worries about the potential dangers the pavement poses to those using the facility.

Vikki Hampshire, who works at The Children’s Centre, added: "The pathway at the bottom of the ramp is a trip hazard and could cause serious injury. With many vehicles accessing the centre, it is also not ideal for wear and tear on tyres.

"It is an immediate turn on to the ramp from the main road and with a moderately sized pothole at that point is a danger to vehicles entering the centre also.

"This is an accident waiting to happen.”

Essex County Council said it had inspected the defect on Thursday and had carried out a "make safe repair" this week. 

The council urged residents to check the council’s Track It tool for more information.