Help at last for pensioner after access step at her home was installed at the wrong height

Julie Vaughton and the infamous step outside her parents home

Wigan Council’s adult services department assessed the Lowton home of Moya and John Vaughton last year and decided a step should be fitted at the front door.

But when the work was carried out, the step was placed at the same height as the entrance to the house on Beardsmore Drive.

Despite their daughter Julie Vaughton making multiple phone calls to the council since then, she said nothing had been done.

She contacted the Observer to raise concerns that her 75-year-old mother could fall without a lower step, particularly during the winter.

Miss Vaughton said: “Someone from social services came round to assess my mum and dad last year.

“They already had handles in the porchway to help them get in the house, but they were finding it increasingly hard getting in and out of the house, so social services said they needed a step put in to assist them.

“That was great, they were really pleased with that.

“They came at the end of August or beginning of September and put in a step. Unfortunately when they put this step in, it’s exactly the same height as stepping into the house, so all they have done is move the problem.”

Miss Vaughton said she had called the council many times to highlight the issue, but she was asked the same questions each time and nothing had been done.

Her mother has aggressive rheumatoid arthritis and she was concerned she could fall if a new step was not put in place.

Miss Vaughton said: “She struggles up and down and if she goes out, it’s every time she goes out and comes in. I’m worried because at this time of year, I don’t want her to slip.”

After speaking to Miss Vaughton, the Observer contacted a spokesman at Wigan Council and it was arranged for a contractor to visit her mother’s home on Monday to assess the step.

A council spokesman said: “We have visited the family, along with the contractor who carried out the initial work, and will be making some modifications to the step so this issue can be resolved.”