A BLIND elderly man who fell on ice outside his home has hit out at a housing association for failing to grit the pathways.

Ernest Parker, 87, was returning home from a hearing test with his wheelchair-bound wife Edna and daughter Jill when he slipped on ice outside Heron Court in Bromley Common.

The retired delivery man hit a wall as he fell and hurt his arm.

He complained to landlord Broomleigh, run by Affinity Sutton housing association, about the lack of grit on the 27-flat premises but claims he was told it was the responsibility of tenants to clear their pathways.

Grandfather-of-two Mr Parker said Broomleigh was obliged to clear the area as it charges households for maintenance services.

He said: “We pay £2.96 per week for caretaking charges, we pay for a service in addition to other bills.

“People have fallen and complained but nothing has happened.”

Mr Parker lost his sight six years ago and looks after his 86-year-old wife who has severe arthritis.

He fears that with further icy conditions on the way, other vulnerable residents could be injured by the treacherous surfaces.

News Shopper: Ernest Parker, 87, outside his home at Heron Court

Widow Barbara Price, aged 81, slipped and fell in the car park outside Heron Court during the first wave of snow at the start of the month.

Mrs Price, who uses a walking stick since she had a hip operation, said: “I was lucky, I just had a bit of bruising.”

The former Marks and Spencer employee said: “It's very bad this time and it was very bad last time.

“There's been no sand or salt around here.

“It's dangerous out there.

“My next door neighbour is 93 and he hasn't been able to go out.”

Tenant Andrew Cripps, aged 52, said: “Broomleigh has a duty to clear the snow.

“There are a lot of elderly and disabled people here.

“Every time it snows they tell us it's our responsibility, but we don't have access to any salt, and I don't think that's fair.

“Residents are trapped and house-bound.”

Affinity Sutton head of housing Sue Cooper said: “It has not or has never been our policy to advise residents to grit their own pathways.

“Following the extreme weather conditions we have been working hard to continue to deliver services to our residents.

“As a landlord our first priority is to ensure our homes are safe and warm and we endeavour to grit where practicable to ensure safe access.

“However we are not responsible for the public footpaths immediately outside Heron Court.

“We would urge residents to be very careful when using areas affected by snow and ice.”

HOW FAR COULD THEY GRIT?

If there are two people living in each of the 27 flats, Broomleigh could collect £159.84 a week in caretaking charges which would buy 20 bags of grit (rock salt) from Homebase.

At a rate of 20 grams per square metre of road this would be enough to grit a narrow pathway from Heron Court to Camden Market in north London - a distance of around 15.5 miles.

HOW TO STAY SAFE THIS WINTER

Age Concern Bromley’s advice for elderly people:

- Keep basic food items in the freezer so you don’t need to make needless journeys

- Make sure you have obtained your flu vaccine and order repeat prescriptions if necessary

- Try and have at least one hot meal a day

- Make sure rooms in the home are heated to a constant temperature

- When venturing outdoors wear non-slip soles or anything that will give you maximum grip

- Wear layers of clothes rather than one single item