AN accident on a flight of steps in Gunnislake has sparked a decision by local councillors for a closer look at the area's health and safety issues.
Cllr Dorothy Kirk raised her concerns over the steep steps from The Orchard to Gunnislake Car Park during a meeting of Calstock Parish Council last week.
The route is used by residents to the health centre and concern was raised after two accidents on the steps within a few weeks of each other.
The first saw an elderly man slip on the steps and fall backwards, seriously injuring himself, and the second saw a similar incident happen to a local woman.
Cllr Kirk told the council there was no drop-off point at the doctors' surgery and the two disabled car parking spaces at the foot of the steps was the only route to the surgery from the car park.
She said: 'There isn't a hand-rail on the left of the steps, only on the right, attached to the wall.
'The steps are usually not a problem but for people with disabilities or even for people carrying small children, the steps have the potential for accidents and we need to look at providing a more accessible route for these people.
'If there isn't a drop-off point, the access should be suitable for people with disabilities. We should help the less advantaged in our community.'
Other members of the council were in favour of examining the health and safety issues on the steps.
Cllr Dick Hoile said: 'I think it is common sense that they have a look at the steps and see what is practical in terms of engineering — I am in favour of having a look at what can be done and maybe seeing if a ramp could go there as that would be more practical.
'I have had no problems with the steps but we do have a lot of elderly and disabled people who use the disabled bays in order to go to the centre and it is a long journey to the centre from the car park.'