ANGRY villagers who have spent ten years fighting to see a “terrible and dangerous” path resurfaced say progress is being made.

Pensioner John McAllister has been joined by Harwich and North Essex MP Bernard Jenkin and councillors in calling for urgent repairs to the footpath in Church Hill, Ramsey.

After Mr McAllister reported the cracks in the surface were wide enough to fit your hand in, Essex Highways dispatched workers to fill them in.

Although only “a temporary solution,” the worried resident welcomed steps to prevent further injury.

Mr McAllister’s wife Christine hurt her wrist when a shopping trolley caught in the crack a couple of months ago.

“We had been trying to see the path repaired for ten years,” he said.

“I believe thanks to the piece in the Standard, the temporary measures have been taken.

“This is just a stop-gap, the path is still in a terrible condition and needs a full resurface.

“A neighbour damaged ligaments in their ankle falling over that path.

“Last week at work her ankle gave way, she is now considering taking action against the council.”

He added: “It is good news that repair work has been carried out.

“Many people in the village were worried about falling over.

“My postman even took me by the hand the other day and said ‘well done mate.’”

Mr McAllister, 68, fears the path is slowly caving into the adjoining paddock and has worked with Suzanne Howe, a secretary at Ramsey War Memorial Hall and parish councillor, to raise the issue with Essex County Council’s Highways department.

Mr Jenkin said Ramsey councillor Tanya Ferguson had alerted him to the issue.

After visiting the road, he branded the path a “serious safety hazard” and said he would be making sure the issue is addressed.

“I am pleased the campaign to get this hole fixed has made some headway with the county council,” he said.

“The path is on a steep slope and is in no condition for parents with children or anyone with restricted mobility to use.

“I came to have a look at the cracks myself and it was abundantly clear the path is a serious safety hazard.

“I have asked councillor Ferguson to keep me informed about the suitability and longevity of the repairs to make sure they do address the safety issues here.”

An Essex Highways spokesman said the path now did not have any “significant defects.”

“The pavements on Ramsey Hill are now in a safer condition as a result of cracks being levelled and filled,” he said.

“The road and pavements are regularly inspected and any deterioration is taken into account.

“Essex Highways engineers prioritise the highest risk pavements for repair and those which have significant defects.

“Ramsey Hill does not now have significant defects, having been recently repaired.”