An Edinburgh woman has slammed Edinburgh City Council after her father was injured when he tripped over active travel bollards on Corstorphine High Street.
Anne Azak says that her father James Bridges, 92, tumbled over the barrier that was put in place under the council’s Spaces for People measures. The injuries he sustained have left the "fiercely independent" father bed-bound in hospital.
The incident took place on April 3 at around 6.45pm when James was crossing a quiet road to look at bus times on the opposite side of the street. He broke a bone in his hand and severely bruised his face.
Edinburgh Council chiefs said the bollards and other measures have been installed to boost safety for all road users. They also welcomed any feedback and vowed to "monitor" the situation.
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His daughter says that she is now calling on the local authority to remove the bollards before they do further damage to the elderly or young schoolchildren in the area. Anne branded the large bollards "useless" and argued they defeat their designed purpose of keeping people safe.
“My father tripped over a Spaces for People road structure in Corstorphine High Street when he was crossing the road to check the bus times,” she said.
“He did not see the black base of the bollard but fortunately there were some passersby who assisted him. His blood was spilt on the middle of the road and he was left in a very bad way.
“He was suffering from deep shock with extreme pain to his neck, shoulder, arms and hands along with a deep cut to his forehead. He also suffered from other bruising injuries to his face.
“One witness called for an ambulance before calling me as she found my telephone number in his wallet. I arrived some ten minutes before the ambulance and accompanied him to A&E at the Royal Infirmary.
“His condition was very poor, mainly from shock and with a considerable temperature drop that the medical team prioritised. Initially it was suspected he may have suffered a stroke which may in turn have contributed to his fall.
“After an MRI scan and X-ray this was found not to be the case. There was no evidence of stroke or cardiac issue. And the following day my dad recalled with clarity tripping over the black obstacle.”
Anne said her father's injuries included a cut to his forehead that required stitches, a broken middle finger on his left hand and painful trauma to his muscle and bones on both hands and arm.
Anne added he also suffered trauma to his muscle and bones on both his neck and two shoulders. He was also left with extensive bruising on both of his eyes, cheeks, shoulder and chin.
“Prior to the accident, my father was moderately active for his years without need for a walking aid/stick,” she continued.
“He went food shopping, prepared vegetables for soup and cooked breakfast, lunch and supper for my mum and himself. He required a little assistance with some dressing and some personal care but although elderly and frail in line with his age, he had no underlying serious ailments such as heart, diabetes or asthma.
"Since admittance to hospital four weeks ago he is now bed bound on a high level of painkillers including morphine. He also has an inability to use both arms and both hands and thus unable to feed himself, or carry out any other personal needs.
“He has developed an infected painful pressure sore from being bed bound which is being treated with antibiotics and we pray further pressure sores will be prevented. Although medically there is no injury to his legs or feet, the pain in the upper part of his torso and lack of strength of his arms and hands means he cannot be supported to stand.
“He has as a result lost muscle strength to his legs and he is in constant agony from cramp and discomfort due to being unable to move them. Long term physiotherapy will be required in order to walk again.
“His doctors predict his recovery to be very long with no timeline at present for muscle healing. I fear there is a risk that the consequences of this accident in terms of extreme drug intake to his frail body and infection from his immobile state may prove fatal.”
Anne said that she finds it "heartbreaking" to see her father in such pain while he has sadly become delirious from the infections he has suffered. She now wants council officers responsible for the installation of the bollards to visit her father to see their impact.
“The bollards are useless, unnecessary, unsightly and hazardous road installations and they should be removed with immediate effect,” she added.
“Corstorphine High Street is in an area of vulnerable elderly residents and school children too are at risk of tripping. I have absolutely zero understanding what these road structures are meant to achieve with the Spaces for People scheme.
“The Spaces for People website indicates that their mission is to remove road clutter and heighten safety for pedestrians – these serve the opposite effect. If pavements need to be widened, then the council should do so safely or employ alternatives.
“Since dad's accident, I have received some feedback from other local residents who have knowledge of less serious trips on these structures. The black coloured blocks blend into the tarmac road only adding to risk of not seeing them.”
Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener said: “I was sorry to hear about Mr Bridges’s injury and wish him a speedy recovery. The measures on Corstorphine High Street were introduced to create a safer space for people to walk and spend time there.
“We’ll continue to monitor the scheme as part of the Experimental Traffic Regulation (ETRO) process and would welcome any feedback during the ETRO period. Following this, if councillors decide to retain the extended footpath, we can then remove the bollards, pave the area and add a kerb.”
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