ON AUGUST 6, 2009, I was making my way to catch a bus at the end of my road.

Unfortunately, I fell over the broken paving, caused by skip lorries, suffered damage to my left temple and knee, and also damaged my spectacles, resulting in a £25 repair bill and my being unable to drive, walk safely, view television or read for a week.

I rang the highways department at Hounslow Council and was told to make a claim on the forms to be provided, which did not arrive.

Contacting the relevant office by phone, it was admitted my claim had been lost under a pile of other correspondence. The forms arrived after a day or so. I immediately completed the forms, including an invoice for repairs, plus photos of the damaged paving.

The insurers refused any payment, claiming the paving was inspected approximately a year previous and found to be in a sound state, hence no payment.

I contacted various councillors, my MP and the council leader, but with no joy. The leader did not even bother to answer. Now we read they are providing laptops for councillors at our expense. Most of the damage to pavements is caused by inconsiderate car parking and lorries delivering and removing skips from front gardens.

R BRIDGE

Hounslow via email