Disabled woman left trapped in home after council fail to fix path for two years

By Jacob Phillips, local democracy reporter

A disabled woman has told how she has been trapped inside for two years after the path leading to her home deteriorated.

Wheelchair user Elizabeth Davies needs help from her husband or daughter every time she wants to leave her home due to potholes.

The Westminster resident no longer goes outside unless she has to because it’s so difficult to get past the dangerous path.

Elizabeth said: “I’m not independent any more. There are many big potholes. With a wheelchair it is impossible.

“You think twice before you go out. When I come back to our house it is a nightmare.”

Despite asking Westminster council to fix the path it has not been fixed since the problems begun before the pandemic.

Video footage shows Elizabeth, who has lived in the property for 20 years, trying to move around the potholes but as she tries to climb the slope she keeps slipping back.

She has fallen twice while trying to make her own way down the path.

Most recently Elizabeth fell on Friday August 13 and had to be helped up by two men passing by.

The 69-year-old said: “My chair went over the slope and I ended up on the floor.

“I was thrown over. It was embarrassing. I did not want everyone to see. I am trapped in my house.”

Usually Elizabeth, who suffers from multiple sclerosis is very independent and she can make her way to nearby Oxford Street on her own in her wheelchair.

She added: “I’m quite independent in my chair, I can go out and do what I want to do but now I am restricted.

“It is like I am housebound because of the entrance to my flat.

Her husband and daughter have both tried to make the path level so Elizabeth can get out of the home using the wheelchair but they have had no luck.

Westminster council were contacted for comment.

Pictured: Elizabeth Davies outside her home in Westminster – photo credit Hannah Neary