Fears damaged fencing could lead to injuries

A dangerous 20-foot drop could lead to a pedestrian being badly injured after vandals knocked down fencing by a public footpath.

The fencing formed the boundary to properties in Grenville Road, Sudbury, with the elevated public footpath running adjacent to Springlands Way.

It is believed that vandals caused the damage, which has resulted in the fencing being knocked down, broken up and chucked down the embankment, while other parts have been removed all together.

Now exposed, residents and Sudbury Town Council staff have expressed their fear that somebody could trip and fall down the bank, possibly suffering serious injury.

“It’s very dangerous as it’s a hell of a drop – somebody could break their back or be killed,” said Alan Briers, who reported the damage to the town council.

Mr Briers, from Beatty Road in Sudbury, said previous damage in the area led to a young boy breaking his arm and he is worried worse could happen unless the situation is resolved quickly.

Bradley Smith, Sudbury’s community warden, said this sort of incident happened about twice a year and suggested gravel walls could solve the problem, but admitted it was an expensive solution.

Mr Smith described it as “pure vandalism” and agreed with Mr Briers that it could have been caused by people returning from a night out in the town centre.

He urged Sanctuary Housing, the landowner, to make repairs as soon as possible to prevent any accidents.

A spokeswoman for the firm said: “The damage was reported to us late on Monday evening and we attended yesterday to assess the fencing and arrange for repairs to be carried out as quickly as possible.”