ANGRY residents in Wotton-under-Edge are seeking an urgent solution to a street dispute.

In December Sharon Jones, who lives in Mount Pleasant, asked a number of authorities to find out who claimed responsibility for the upkeep of pavements, kerbs and grass verges outside her home.

She wrote: "I feel it my duty to bring your attention to the destruction of the pavements, kerbs and grass verges....this could ultimately lead to a serious accident."

She went on: "Heavy goods vehicles, trucks and coaches, going up on the kerb and pavement on a daily basis, have caused this. It has become a danger and hazard with all the mud, puddles and pot-holes these vehicles have created."

Billy Boy Frozen Foods, based in Water Lane, has been cited as one of the possible culprits, whose vehicles have mounted the kerb in Mount Pleasant.

But manager Justin Arlow said: "Our lorries would have no reason to be involved in kerb-mounting. They are only seven-and-a-half tonne vehicles, not HGVs."

Mrs Jones said: "There seems to have been disagreement between Gloucestershire County Council and Stroud District Council about who was liable."

A spokesman from the district council's housing department, Joel Darley, said: "The county council is responsible for the roads and pavements but we do have responsibility for a grass verge in Mount Pleasant."

He added: "We are in discussion with the county council about repairing damage."

Sam Roffe, spokeswoman for the county council, said: "We will be carrying out road resurfacing later in this financial year. We have met with district and town council representatives, and it is hoped the verges can be repaired simultaneously with the road work.

"Plastic grass grids will probably be used as cars are tending to park on the verges but finance would have to be found for this."

Mrs Jones conceded one of the damaged areas had received attention swiftly - a broken manhole cover was repaired within a week.

But she is still concerned about the large number of heavy vehicles continuing to use Mount Pleasant as a short-cut through the town.

She esxplained: "This is the main route for children to get to The British Primary School, and there are also many elderly and disabled people who walk along the street, including two partially-sighted people.

"It is only a matter of time before one of these residents trips over the bits of pavement and kerbstone sticking out."

One of the greatest hazards is a water stopcock cover protruding out of the ground.

Said Mrs Jones: "Urgent attention and action is needed before the inevitable happens."