A footpath dubbed “accident alley” has at last been repaired – but people say a better solution is needed to ensure more falls do not occur.

People of all ages have fallen victim to the raised paving slab in the alley between Queen Street and Park Street in Deal.

Last week the Mercury reported how, after seven months of research, the owners of the path had been tracked down as Portery Management Co, of Dour Street, Dover.

Kent County Council has now confirmed that the company has dealt with the uneven slabs. The authority has also checked it to ensure it is now safe.

But Kent county councillor for Deal Eileen Rowbotham said despite the work, a better solution is needed.

She said: “I’m very pleased that the work has been carried out, but these falls could easily happen again and I think there needs to be a better solution.

“There needs to be regular maintenance.”

She will be discussing options with KCC Highway officers when they next meet.

Edward Wright, whose wife Joan, 80, sustained multiple injuries and has since had an elbow replacement after her fall last July, agrees.

He said: “At last something has been done, but we’d like a guarantee that it will be maintained regularly and inspections carried out – all the things that you have to do for public safety.”

The couple would ultimately like to see it tarmacked.

Brian Fagg, 74, of Curzon Close, Walmer, who broke his arm after tripping on a raised slab on the same path seven years ago, has joined the campaign for action.

He, too, thinks it should be tarmacked. He contacted the Mercury after reading that the owners had been traced.

Mr Fagg said: “We went to great lengths to find out who owned the path, but we were unsuccessful.

“I think they should get rid of the paving slabs and just have tarmac. It would be a lot safer.”

Mr Fagg says he was unable to carry out normal day-to-day duties for himself and his disabled wife, Patricia, after the incident.

The Mercury has previously reported on two other people who fell victim to the uneven surface.

Eight-year-old Olivia Brett tripped on a raised paving slab there in December 2015, causing teeth to rip through her bottom lip.

And in March 2016, Millie Ellis, five, of Davis Avenue, Deal, spent much of the Easter holiday weekend with bruising after she fell in the alley.

The Mercury has been unable to contact Portery Management Co for a comment.