Paths to disaster- Edna Strudwick and Joy Depaauw say footpaths in

By Bridget Brady
Joy Depaauw, 79, tripped on a footpath in Green Valley Crescent in Hampton Park about a fortnight ago and had a sore back and hip, a bruised eye and a grazed nose.
“I had blood everywhere,” Ms Depaauw said.
Ms Depaauw said she usually had no problems with her balance.
“I’m pretty fit, really. When you get old people say you lose your balance but it was definitely the footpath.
“I can wear high heels and all,” she said.
Edna Strudwick, 80, said she had noticed a few bad spots on Green Valley Crescent and others in Hampton Park.
She said uneven paths were also a worry for younger people on bikes.
“You don’t have to be old to fall,” Ms Strudwick said.
Ms Strudwick said she encouraged people to report any falls as a result of poor footpaths to the council.
“You’re not complaining. You’re just reporting.
“The council has been good as long as these things are reported. I think they could do with having a look at it because these are old paths.”
Casey Council’s acting manager of roads and construction Michael Apps said concrete re-instatement works had been carried out on a number of paths in Hampton Park, but not on Green Valley Crescent.
“Council officers aim to inspect any reports of footpath damage within 24 hours of it being reported. We encourage residents who come across potential problems on roads and footpaths, such as tripping hazards, footpath damage and pot holes, to report them to council by phoning 9705 5200,” Mr Apps said.