The district council is looking into issues over a set of historical steps in Sandwich after residents complained they were “lethal.”

The steps, near Millwall Place, link the town with the town trail and are more than 100 years old and very worn and dangerous according to Sandwich Town Council and residents.

Dover District Council has now agreed to “look into the situation”.

Sonia Jackson, of Millwall Place, wrote a letter to the town council expressing her concerns which were discussed at the last town council meeting in December.

She said: “They’re not flat, they’re leaning towards the road. There are chips along the edge and its also damaged in the middle.

“If you’re not sure on your feet you have to be careful.

“It’s bad enough in the summer but in the winter its under a huge tree and the leaves fall down, and with ice and snow it gets very slippery.”

She claims that the steps are never cleared in snowy weather which makes them even more hazardous.

“It’s lethal,” She said. “If you slipped on your back you could damage your spine.”

Mrs Jackson believes the council should provide a ramp for those with wheelchairs or pushchairs to make it easier.

“I think it would greatly enhance the town and make it a lot easier for people to walk round.”

Lesley Jordan, 61, of Church Street St Clement’s, added: “It’s an accident waiting to happen. It’s being overlooked. I’ve seen people slip down here.”

“If you slipped on your back you could damage your spine.” - Sonia Jackson.

She explained that there should be a handrail on the other side and that the incline of the path down to the steps causes people like Mrs Jordan, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, to struggle.

“I won’t walk down there at all. I avoid it.” She added.

Sandwich Town Council issued a response to Mrs Jackson explaining the issue had been raised with DDC who said it did not have the funding to make repairs.

A spokesman for DDC said: “We are looking into these issues, but would point out that part of what makes Sandwich so unique is its heritage, and it is inevitable that a historic walkway would show some signs of wear.

“Council contractors do regularly clean and clear the steps here, and we are looking into the situation to see if we need to step up the number of visits for the future.”