Two-and-a-half years after tripping over a pothole in Romford and breaking two bones in her leg, a woman has spoken about how the accident prevented her from caring for her dying mother.
On Christmas Day, 2011 Sue Kennedy had been visiting her mother in Rosebank Avenue, Hornchurch, on what she knew would be their final Christmas together.
As she went to get in her car that evening her foot became caught in a pothole and she fell backwards breaking her leg.
Mrs Kennedy, of Canvey Island, Essex, said that despite spending almost seven months in recovery she has been told she will be unable to claim compensation.
She said: “It was very emotional. My mum was dying and I could not look after her. I could not take my little girl to her first day of pre-school. I was just laid up.
“I’ve never got over not being able to look after my mum, it haunts me.”
Mrs Kennedy said her partner was forced to give up work as a carpenter to care for her and their children while she recovered.
She believes that Havering Council should accept responsibility for the accident because it is responsible for the repair of potholes.
Cllr Benham, cabinet member for street care at Havering Council, said: “We are very sorry to hear about Mrs Kennedy’s mother.
“We do have one of the largest road networks in London and will be applying for more funding from the government to fix as many potholes as we can,” he said.
“In the meantime we will continue to work hard to keep the roads well maintained and inspected.”
Cllr Clarence Barrett, leader of the opposition Residents’ Group, added: “This has been a problem not just in Havering but in other boroughs.
“At long last government has woken up to the fact we need more funding but it’s woefully inadequate.”
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