Anger as Falkirk Council regeneration work leaves pavements 'unsafe'

Daily Record

17-07-2025

Anger as Falkirk Council regeneration work leaves pavements 'unsafe'
A Bonnybridge resident has hit out at the uneven pavements and multiple trip hazards that have yet to be fixed
Bonnybridge resident Kris Procek says the pavements have multiple trip hazards
(Image: LDRS )
A Bonnybridge parent says work by Falkirk Council to improve the road and pavements around the toll at the heart of the village has been left unfinished and unsafe for pedestrians.
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The work is part of a £460,000 improvement project that includes resurfacing the roads and pavements around the toll, as well as upgrades to Memorial Park.
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But resident Kris Procek says the pavements around the toll have been left uneven and full of trip hazards, with no work having been done for days.
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Kris's 13-year-old son is a wheelchair user so he is acutely aware of how uneven surfaces can be particularly dangerous for disabled and elderly people as well as children.
Having raised his concerns through the 'Bonnybridge Banter' page on Facebook, many locals have backed him up, agreeing that the work is unsatisfactory.
But Kris says that although he has now reported his concerns to Falkirk Council, he has not yet had a response.
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The council has now said that some of the work in the area was affected by heavy rainfall and it will be redone.
Kris Procek says the unfinished work not only looks unsightly but is also unsafe
(Image: LDRS )
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But Kris says the area should never have been left in such a condition without warning signs, barriers or coverings, and with no indication of when the work will be completed.
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He points out the irony that work to upgrade the pedestrian crossing - with a textured surface to warn blind and visually impaired people that there is a crossing - is now a trip hazard.
"It's a trip hazard waiting to happen - particularly for elderly, disabled or partially sighted people," he said.
"I know that if I brought my son here in his wheelchair there is a good chance that it would burst a tyre.
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"I would expect that anything like this to have temporary covers in place at least."
Just yards away, safety barriers have been left piled up, leaving the area "in a complete state, with no sign of anybody coming back".
Kris is most concerned at the stretch of road that leads from the toll towards Falkirk, where there are two drain covers sticking up an inch above the tarmac surface.
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"There is no barrier between the pavement and the road and if someone was to trip there is a high risk they could go straight onto the road.
Work is unfinished at Bonnybridge Toll
(Image: LDRS )
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"I hate to think of the consequences."
Kris says that leaving the area in such a condition is "disrespectful" to Bonnybridge residents who had welcomed the project, which is part of a bigger regeneration project.
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Kris said: "To be fair, the road is much, much better, which is great!
"But what has completely tainted that is that the pavements have not been finished and people are just genuinely hacked off.
"It is just not acceptable to leave this area unfinished, with the pavements in this condition.
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"We have no idea what the timescale is here - no-one knows when they will be coming back to finish the job."
A spokesperson for Falkirk Council said: 'A further site inspection has taken place yesterday (Wednesday) and some minor patching will take place in more pronounced areas.
"During recent pavement works, heavy rain affected the quality of the surface laid. This section will be removed and resurfaced to ensure a better final finish.
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"Work on this contract has to take place on a Sunday to reduce the disruption to retailers and looking at the weather forecast, it is expected that the area in front of the shops will see work completed later this month.
"The resurfacing is part of a wider £460,000 investment in Bonnybridge this summer and includes road and pavement upgrades, new kerbs, and safety improvements.
'Once work at Bonnybridge Toll is complete, focus will shift to Memorial Park, where upgrades will improve access and appearance, including new paths, landscaping, and resurfaced areas. There is also a pump track planned for later in the year.'
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