THE condition of the pavements on Alton's Crown Hill has been brought into question yet again, after a local businesswoman fell on a damaged paving stone, breaking a bone in her foot.

Jacqueline Gregory (35) fell on Thursday July 19, on a damaged paving slab at the top of the steps on Crown Hill. She broke a tarsal bone in her foot, and now has her leg in plaster.

Mrs Gregory, who is the proprietor of the Jack in the Box jewellery shop in Normandy Street, has not only suffered severe pain, but her business has also been affected.

She said: "It seems so unfair that we pay tax, I pay council tax on both the house and the shop, and we don't even get decent, safe pavements for our money. Also there is the fact that there are so many elderly people in Alton and it could affect them much worse.

"My mother picked up a lady who had fallen on Crown Hill the week before, and I heard that someone recently fell on exactly the same bit as I did. The pavements have been bad in Normandy Street for ages.

"It is really painful, and I don't know how long I will be out of action for. I am not allowed to drive, and I'm in the process of moving house, so friends are having to do all my packing for me.

"I figured out that it has cost me around £1,000 so far, as I have had to take on extra help at the shop to cover all of the time that I cannot work, and I have had to close the shop on three days when it would otherwise have been open.

"Many people have also told me of similar incidents where they have either helped someone who has fallen or have fallen themselves. Many of these falls seem to have gone unreported, but I urge anyone who has suffered as I have to get in touch with their local councillor."

Alton colunty councillor Tony Ludlow, said: "The state of the roads and pavements, especially on Crown Hill was the most dominant theme on the doorstep during the election, and I am doing my best to get the situation rectified.

"I have heard that there have been other incidents, but this is the first case of its type that has been reported to me. It is clearly unfortunate and distressing, and I am very sorry that Mrs Gregory is injured and in considerable pain.

"I will do my best to advise her on the best course of action to take as regards a claim, and I will talk to the area surveyor about it and try to make sure that it doesn't happen again.

"There is work going on on the pavements in Normandy Street as we speak and Crown Hill is on the list, but I am not sure exactly where, as there is much work to do in Alton."

Mr Ludlow has also asked for the help of The Herald, by asking people that have suffered or witnessed similar accidents in the Crown Hill area, to write to The Herald. Letters should be addressed to Tony Ludlow, c/o The Alton Herald, 14 Market Square, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 1HD. All letters will be passed on to Mr Ludlow.