![A raised footpath outside Bridgette Beckingham’s property in Argyle St, Mosgiel, may have to be...](https://www.odt.co.nz/sites/default/files/styles/odt_landscape_extra_large_4_3/public/story/2024/07/asphalt_260724.jpg?itok=DldNZxeU)
The footpath work was done in the name of safety, but it created a health and safety hazard for Argyle St property owner Bridgette Beckingham.
She was recently injured when she tried to negotiate the bizarre incline from her gate to the footpath on a frosty morning.
"I was trying to be careful ... trying to do a big step, but the top had black ice ... my foot slipped ... I twisted my knee and hip," Ms Beckingham said.
She had an ACC claim approved last week, which was also about the time she decided she had had enough of the lack of a resolution for a problem created in November last year.
"I’m just over it, angry and frustrated," Ms Beckingham said.
"I’m obviously disappointed in the unprofessionalism of the whole organisation of trying to get it fixed."
She recalled her initial reaction to seeing the raised footpath.
"I almost cried," she said.
The asphalt work may have to be redone.
Ms Beckingham felt the simplest solution would be to block off the entrance, shift the gate and create a new path to it.
She expected this could be a cost-effective remedy.
However, this does not appear to be the council’s favoured approach.
"As part of restoring the footpath to its previous state, we are implementing a stormwater system to prevent any water drainage issues on to your property," a council staff member said in February.
"This solution involves installing a new sump on the footpath, which will directly connect to your stormwater outlet."
The staff member also apologised twice in December last year for the time it was taking to reach a resolution.
A council spokesman said last week the original project involved school safety improvements in the area, including a build-out of the footpath near Ms Beckingham’s property to shorten the crossing distance for school students.
"Our staff and contractors have had several conversations with the resident about her concerns, including on site, and the original design for this project included measures to direct water away from her property," he said.
Contractors met Ms Beckingham on November 23 to discuss her concerns.
"We, together with our contractors, have since been exploring four potential options and costings in detail," the council spokesman said.
The council had settled on a preferred option and would visit the site this week to talk to Ms Beckingham further.
The Mosgiel woman said the issue had caused her stress and there had been a cost on her time.
"This is the third time they’ve made an effort to resolve it," she said.
Ms Beckingham said she planned to move to Central Otago in September and rent out the Mosgiel house.
However, two rental companies said the gate would be a health and safety problem.
"They wouldn’t approve that gate," she said.