Knaresborough's appalling pavements make Maggie's wheelchair do wheelies

Maggie Boyd says the town’s broken pavements tip her out of her wheelchair and force her to do wheel-stunts.

She said: “It’s about time someone said something about it because the paths are appalling.

“It’s hard work having to manoeuvre the pavements when they’re not level.

“I need to do wheelies at times to get over certain parts of pavement. I’m very mobile and very active - I do at least four miles a day, I have three dogs and I take them out every day.”

Ms Boyd, a mother of four, lost both her legs to thalidomide in the 1960s.

She said: “I have never had to use a strap on my wheelchair and I refuse to use one but a few times I have come out of my chair because my wheels have got stuck in cracks in the pavement.

“Some people come out their chair and find it really hard to get back in, fortunately I’m not like that but it’s a bit embarrassing to be honest.”

Although campaigning for her own plight, Ms Boyd explained blind people and pushchair users are also affected by the pavements.

This week she appealed to Knaresborough Town Council and councillors unanimously supported her motion and agreed to write to North Yorkshire County Council to request changed be made to the pavements.

Although the town council has no jurisdiction over the paths in the town, it has agreed to call on North Yorkshire County Council to make improvements.

The county council said: “We inspect town centre footways monthly and any dangerous defects are routinely noted and action taken in line with our maintenance regime.

“We also respond to specific concerns from the public when we are notified.

“When we receive the letter from Knaresborough Town Council we will investigate the concerns raised as a priority.”

Town councillor David Bulmer has supported Ms Boyd’s quest to get the support of KTC as his wife is also a thalidomide baby.

He said: “You can see how much they struggle to get around and there are hazards everywhere.

“I suppose I have got a personal interest in that my wife is also disabled so personally it is something I feel quite passionate about.

“I was delighted by the support received by all members of the Town Council on this issue and the welcoming manner Maggie received at the meeting.”

Ms Boyd also expressed her delight at the overwhelming support she was given at the meeting.

She said: “I was actually quite surprised, I was very nervous but I’m very glad I was supported and that they feel the same way.

“I love Knaresborough and I’m proud of Knaresborough and that’s why I want them to do something about it because it lets the town down, it’s a real shame.”