War veteran, 80, housebound for 10 months as council say he's 'ineligible' for house ramp

War veteran Roy Pugh says he’s been left housebound for 10 months because his local council deemed him ‘ineligible’ for a ramp outside his home.

Former serviceman Roy, 80, says he has been unable to leave his home since a debilitating heart attack and stroke left him struggling to walk and unable to get down the steps by his home in Ripley, Derbyshire.

Concerned Royal British Legion friends gave Roy a mobility scooter to help him get out and about, but he can't use it unless the ramp is installed.

Roy says he has been asking the local authority for months to build a ramp outside his bungalow, but had been told he was not housebound because he was able to get out of the door.

The pensioner, who served with the army in North Korea for six years and as a reservist for nine years, has been visited by local authority staff to look at the possibility of having a ramp installed but was told he does not qualify.

Roy said a ramp would 'help a great deal' as he could go to the shops by himself, explaining: 'I have got steps at the front and steps at the back. I'm on my own and I can't get the scooter in or out.

'They said I'm not housebound because I can get out the door but I haven't been into Ripley town since January.

It takes me about an hour to walk half the length of a football pitch and I need to rest every so often due to medical conditions.

‘When I asked social services how I was expected to get out of the house to do my shopping I was told to get a taxi.  I then asked them what I’d do once I got into town and they said I should just find a seat.'

Roy said he gets help with shopping from family members but would like some independence.

Dean Fowler, chairman of the Ripley branch of the Royal British Legion described Roy’s situation as a ‘nightmare’.

He said: 'Roy's a very proud man and despite being able to get around his home he just doesn't have the strength to get down the steps either side of his house and into town to do the things we take for granted.

'It's disgusting. He's got a scooter outside and it's been sitting there doing nothing.

'The Royal British Legion was delighted to be able to give him a mobility scooter which would've greatly helped him but because he can't have a ramp installed to get onto the footpath he has no way whatsoever of using it.

'Roy receives help from carers and his family but it’s just not the same as being able to do things for yourself.'

Amber Valley Borough Council said an application for a grant had only been received this week, and if granted, a ramp would be installed right away.

David Arkle housing manager for Amber Valley Borough Council said: 'The council received the grant application last week.

'There will now be a funding assessment by Derbyshire County Council who will then produce a formal recommendation as to what Mr Pugh needs. Once that has been agreed a schedule or works will get underway immediately.'

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