Redcar footpaths face fresh warning as councillor calls them a ‘significant hazard’
redcar footpaths in Zetland ward are again under scrutiny after Councillor Jade Lavan said damaged and unsafe sections are creating a “significant hazard” for residents and visitors. She raised the issue at a Redcar and Cleveland Council meeting, saying she has been reporting the problem regularly. The concern centers on trips and falls, especially in areas used by older people, wheelchair users, children with pushchairs, and others with mobility needs.
Ongoing concerns in Zetland ward
Lavan, who represents Zetland ward, said the damaged footpaths pose risks across the community, not only for people with additional needs but for all who use them. She described the ward as having a diverse demographic, including an ageing population, wheelchair users, individuals with mobility issues, sight impairments, dementia, disabilities, and families with young children using pushchairs. She asked for details on planned improvement works and timescales, and requested a ward walk with the council’s cabinet member for highways and transport so the issues can be seen first hand.
The warning comes amid continuing concern about footpath condition in parts of Redcar, where cracked and uneven surfaces have been highlighted as a source of danger. The phrase redcar footpaths has now become central to the debate as residents look for a clearer timetable on repairs.
Council response and repair schedule
Carl Quartermain, the cabinet member for highways and transport, said he would be happy to meet Lavan. He said footpaths across the borough are inspected every six months, with additional inspections carried out when issues are residents or ward members. He also said funding for footpath resurfacing is limited.
Quartermain said the 2025/26 period includes nine schemes across the borough. He pointed to the resurfacing of Lincoln Road in Zetland as one of the largest schemes, covering 1, 700 square metres. He added that a recent inspection identified a small number of defects that require attention and said those issues have been added to the work schedule. On redcar footpaths affected by tree roots, he said sections in parts of the ward had deteriorated and were replaced with tarmac, with repairs completed last month.
What the dispute means now
The exchange leaves the focus on whether the current maintenance plan will be enough to calm concerns in Zetland ward. Lavan’s request for a ward walk suggests the issue is not just about paperwork or schedules, but about the condition residents face on the ground each day. For now, the council says further remedial work is already planned and will be delivered over the coming months, while redcar footpaths remain a live concern for people navigating the area.
What happens next
The next step is likely to be the meeting Lavan requested, if it goes ahead, alongside the continued rollout of scheduled repairs. Residents in Zetland will be watching closely to see whether the promised works address the damaged surfaces quickly enough to reduce the risk of trips and falls. Until then, the state of redcar footpaths remains a pressing local issue with direct safety implications.
