It was likened to a “comedy sketch” and took four years to sort, but a pensioner’s battle to get a dropped kerb has finally been won - thanks to KentOnline.

Michael Partridge was at the end of his tether when he got in touch with us to explain how he was being forced to break the law on an almost daily basis.

The 74-year-old emphysema sufferer, who relies on a mobile oxygen tank, had a hardstanding installed outside his house in Penguin Close, Strood, with a promise a dropped kerb would follow.

But over the course of four years, and countless calls to landlord mhs homes and Medway Council, he was still having to drive up and down the pavement every time he left home and returned.

At one point, eight workers visited the property at the same time, acknowledging the work was definitely needed - yet still nothing happened.

Speaking when he first called KentOnline, Mr Partridge said: “I don’t know what’s taking so long...I think they’re waiting for me to die.

“I am forced to break the law every time I leave the house and come home. I had eight of them around here at the same time talking about it - it was like a comedy sketch.”

However, less than a week after our story, contractors arrived at the property and completed the final part of works he had been promised by mhs in August 2021.

It’s still not exactly clear why there was a four-year delay - Medway Council says it was in part due to issues processing a quote and subsequent delay with payment - but Mr Partridge is just happy the situation has been resolved.

He said: “I’m well pleased something’s been done at last - even if it’s taken four years to do it. After that time, I thought they just weren’t bothered and were passing it from one to the other.

“I can’t understand it, they were just passing the buck really, I’d speak to one person - if I was lucky - and they’d say it was someone else’s responsibility. But I’m well happy now it’s been done.”

Without the dropped kerb, Mr Partridge technically broke the law every time he parked on his hardstanding by mounting the pavement.

He continued: “I’m just happy it’s all been done now, thanks to the power of the press.”

Mr Partridge has lived in the property for more than 40 years, first being a social tenant of Rochester-upon-Medway City Council and then mhs homes.

The former builder’s condition means he struggles walking long distances, so the ability to park safely on his hardstanding is of great benefit.

Just one other problem though…

The drain has been put at the top of a slope rather than the bottom, meaning rainwater rushes down towards Mr Partridge’s front door.