Residents are demanding urgent action to repair what they claim are poorly maintained roads and pavements after an elderly woman fell and broke her collar bone.

The woman, in her 60s, was walking along Bruce Grove, Shotgate, when she tripped on a bump in the pavement.

She is understood to be considering making a formal complaint to Basildon Council.

The incident comes less than nine months after a councillor issued similar warnings about the same road and surrounding area.

Basildon Council bosses revealed they put aside £500,000 in their budget in response to the rising cost - and number - of claims from people suffering trips and falls.

The council has not received a complaint about Bruce Grove yet, a spokesman said.

However, they added they would send inspectors out to the site to see if urgent work was needed.

A Basildon Council spokesman said: "We are sorry to hear of the incident and have sympathy for those concerned.

"The council is provided with limited funds from Essex County Council to maintain highways."

Published Monday August 19, 2002

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