Gran, 93, feels isolated because kerbs hamper mobility scooter

Teresa Sanderson loves Knutsford and belongs to several community groups, thanks to her friends and family offering lifts.

The 93-year-old, who still cooks and bakes, says she feels isolated not being able to get out on her own.

"It is so unfair," said Teresa, who has seven grown up children.

"I want a bit of independence. I bought a mobility scooter so I could get out and about but I can't get up onto the pavements because they are too high for me. It's dreadful.

"All I want is for the council to put in some dropped kerbs. You see them all over the place, new estates have got them."

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Teresa is a blue badge holder as she has Paget's Disease, a condition that affects her left leg and knee.

"It is very painful, I can't walk all that far," said Teresa, who has lived on Racefield Road for 73 years.

"I have a stick but I feel nervous when I go out."

Teresa Sanderson

London-born Teresa says she has always led an active life.

At 12, she was evacuated to Somerset and worked in a hotel.

"I used to scrub the kitchen floors before I went to school," she said.

Teresa met her late husband George when she was 15 whilst she was serving soldiers in a canteen.

The couple married four years later and moved to Cheshire.

Teresa raised money for East Cheshire Hospice for 30 years, making blankets for babies and organising table top sales.

She sings in a choir at St Vincent's Church, plays Crown green bowls for Crosstown and gives talks about evacuation to pupils at Knutsford Academy.

"I love Knutsford," said Teresa."I love the people. I've not been down to the town for two years. That is why I got the scooter."

Teresa Sanderson

Cllr Craig Browne, chairman of highways and transport at Cheshire East Council, said: “The council does not wish to see anyone with a disability feeling isolated in their own home, owing to difficulties in accessing local services.

“In instances such as this, the council is encouraging residents to contact their local ward councillor who would be able to give their consideration of the issue and, if appropriate, raise it with the relevant officer.

“The council’s highways team carry out assessments of new sites for dropped kerbs and, where possible, seek to improve the accessibility to key local destinations, such as shops, leisure and health facilities by making improvements at specific locations or along a length of road.”