Obstacles trap disabled man

A DISABLED Gorleston man said he was left facing an obstacle course after yobs pulled up ramps covering holes in the pavement.

Alfred Learmonth, of Paston Road, has to use a disability scooter but was left facing deep trenches in the Baliol Road pavement on Saturday night after vandals removed the ramps covering holes left by workmen who were replacing lights in the road.

Fortunately, the 62-year-old, who has received awards for his campaigns against anti-social behaviour, was accompanied by his partner Jean Williams, 54, who was able to put the ramps back in position after finding them dumped nearby.

Earlier in the evening, the couple had seen a group of 25 youngsters hanging around Baliol Road as they went from Mr Learmonth's home to his sister's in Ivy Green on the Magdalen estate.

Mr Learmonth said: “The obstacle course was caused, I presume, by those who wish to be anti-social towards others. They had lifted every ramp that was put over the trenches and discarded them. If Jean had not been with me to put the ramps back with a young gentleman who saw the situation and stopped to help, I would have been in dire straights I can tell you.”

Workmen from public service provider Amey had placed the ramps over the holes where cables had been laid for the street lights so pedestrians could get over them safely.

However, Mr Learmonth said the situation had been made even more dangerous by the lack of lighting in the road as he returned home at 9.15pm, meaning he did not see the uncovered holes until he had virtually arrived at them.

A police spokesman said there had been no reports of anti-social behaviour in the Baliol Road area on Saturday evening.