DEVELOPERS are to re-lay a walkway after a blind Kendal man claimed he had nearly broken his wrist.

John Wilkinson, 46, of Waterside who uses a long cane because of limited vision says it is impossible to walk along newly laid Wainwright's Yard because of its undulating surface.

"I am having mobility training because of my eye-sight and we went up the yard where I nearly broke my wrist because of all the holes and bumps," he said. He explained the cane he uses is fitted with a roller-ball at the tip, which is sensitive to any change in the surface.

"The ball catches every single bump and if you are not careful you can break your wrist. It is a problem for anyone using a stick and I get angry at times."

When Kendal-based charity South Lakes Society for the Blind heard of Mr Wilkinson's plight, they wrote to the owners, developers Maple Grove, - calling for action. Malcolm Fair, SLSB chief executive, believes the yard which leads past The Westmorland Gazette offices to the new Booths store makes life "extremely difficult and dangerous" for anyone with a disability.

"The camber changes as you walk along, making it very difficult for people with any kind of mobility problem," he said.

"The issue is one of making services available to everyone so no one is discriminated against.

"I find it extremely disappointing that this new pathway and development has not taken into account the needs of people with disabilities."

On Wednesday, Maple Grove bosses met with architects to discuss re- levelling the surface.

Tony Hills, a director at Lancaster-based architects, Corstophine and Wright, agreed the path was unsatisfactory but had been laid quickly in time for Booths opening.

"We will be carrying out remedial work at some point," he said.