MORE than 100 people have reported tripping up on Hereford's infamous Widemarsh Street kerb since it was placed, a freedom of information request has revealed.

The figures also reveal there have been 12 unsuccessful injury claims made by residents since the city centre street was refurbished in 2011.

Herefordshire Council has continuously defended the low-lip design of the pavement and says it was developed following extensive consultation and is compliant with current legislation and guidance.

Christine Dallow, information access officer, explained she checked the data the council and highways contractor Balfour Beatty hold relating to recorded incidents and accidents on the city centre street.

She said: “There have been 102 reports of reported accidents, such as falling over or tripping up along Widemarsh Street from 2011 until 15 May 2018.

“For claims received since 2011 and based on the accident date we have received 12 claims and none have been successful. We have paid out £0.

“Please note this data has been extracted from information provided by the insurance company and will exclude any claim that does not have Widemarsh Street in the location or title of the claim.”

The issue came to the fore again recently after Ruth Davies, who lives near Knighton, told of how she suffered broken bones in her foot after falling over on the low pavement kerb on November 7 last year.

A council spokesperson said they were sorry to hear of Ms Davies’ fall and explained that the types of kerb used on Widemarsh Street have been used throughout the UK.

She said: “The low kerbs used are designed to assist disability groups such as the visually impaired who need a kerb to feel the edge of the road with a cane, or for a guide dog to register there is a road edge.

“The type of kerbs in Widemarsh Street have been used extensively in similar public realm schemes across the country.

“The Widemarsh scheme has been audited and reviewed following completion of the works and these concluded that the scheme is satisfactory.”