WITH regard to the story on Saturday, January 17, about the grandfather who was hit by a mobility scooter, the matter of wheeled vehicles on the pavement is a grey area.

I have heard of other accidents of this nature, so it is not uncommon.

In West End a lady was hit by a cyclist on the pavement. Her hip was smashed and, a year later, she has yet to fully recover.

The cyclist was not held to be responsible.

We in the local Labour Party were consulting with police as to what might be done to increase safety for all pavement users.

Pedestrians do not object to sharing the pavement. They recognise that, with today’s traffic conditions, it is reasonable for cyclists to want to use it.

As for the Department of Transport spokesperson, they should know that the first duty of government is to protect its citizens.

The lofty and unsympathetic tone was quite out of place for a public servant and the statement was made worse by the use of the over-worked term ‘hard-working people’.

People have a right to be safe whether they are hard working or idle.

NANCY SMITH, West End.