This summer the Borough of Sutton celebrated achieving the best GCSE results in the whole country; however the same appraisal cannot be said about the changes to the High Street.

Following the crash of pensioner David Nield in his mobility scooter this week, the High Street’s £3.2 million redevelopments implemented over the last year have again been at the centre of controversy. He was thrown in the air and then fell onto his back after his scooter hit an exposed 7 inch metal stump. This stump was formerly part of mechanical benches before being removed sixth months ago because of a faulty design, thus the accident is yet another product of the High Street’s shoddy street improvement.

However, this is not the only accident which has occurred this year as a result of the new refurbishments. Five people have lodged legal claims for compensation having been injured by areas of the High Street, but most notably by some of the new log benches, now removed, which had been installed last year. Above all, 75 year old Evelyn Rider suffered an angina attack after one of the logs rolled away from under her feet, causing her great shock.

It seems that the recent accident is another episode in the many injury filled tales that have been all too apparent since the redevelopments were put into practice. After hearing so many stories about regular injuries happening, you have to ask yourself: “has this work really been worth it?”

Since then, Sutton’s final part of the redevelopment has been subject to much debate after the “Green Wall” was revealed in October. The Wilkinsons building in Trinity Square now boasts a £130,000 wall structure of living foliage, but questions are being raised as to whether the council is spending the taxpayers’ money wisely, or if some of it, in fact, is going to waste.

It is clear that Councillor Jayne McCoy’s description as an “improvement project” has not been a common opinion among all of Sutton’s residents, in particular those who visit the high street regularly. All we can do is hope there are no further injuries in the near future.