CAMPAIGNERS in Chelmsford are calling on Essex County Council to set up a fund just for pavement repairs.

A total of 743 people signed a petition handed directly to Rodney Bass, county councillor responsible for highways, asking for improvements to be made to paths around the city.

The names were collected in just six weeks after Janet Wright, of Noakes Avenue, Great Baddow, started the campaign after tripping over twice on cracks this year.

Streets noted as particularly bad include Chelmerton Avenue, Galleywood Road and Deadmans Lane.

Mrs Wright said: “I would like to see the council set aside a fund specially for the maintenance of footpaths as some footpaths have not been repaired since they where laid in 1934.

“Chelmerton Avenue is particularly bad as the trees along the Avenue are pushing up the path all along it and the trees really need to be taken up instead of the council keep trying to repair it.

“I have stopped walking now because it frightens you to walk you have to watch every step instead of the scenery.”

Council bosses said they had to be realistic about how they fund repairs at same time as investing in the roads and pavements.

A spokeswoman said: “Defects are risk assessed and prioritised depending on where they are and what type of hazard they may represent to the public.”