Kathy Stansfield, ­secretary, Dartmouth and Kingswear Society, of South Ford Road, Dartmouth, writes:

Dartmouth and Kingswear Society members have become increasingly concerned at the dangerously slippery and weed-ridden state of our public footpaths, steps and paved areas. We would very much like to find out what can be done to improve the situation.

But first we need evidence of the scale and significance of the problem. We know that many respondents to the recent neighbourhood plan opinion survey expressed a general ­concern about these surfaces, especially when they are wet or strewn with rubbish. South Hams Council has always been responsible for keeping pavements in Dartmouth clean, although it is not obliged to do so by law.

It is evident that, due to the squeeze on local government finances, this task has been much neglected in recent years. Roads are the responsibility of Devon County Council, and these too have been neglected, becoming patched and uneven due to the many potholes.

Now we want to gather accounts of how people have been affected in individual incidents related to inadequate conditions underfoot. We are asking people to write a note to The Dartmouth and Kingswear Society, c/o The Flavel, Dartmouth TQ6 9ND, describing briefly when and where they slipped or tripped, whether they or a friend or ­relative was injured, and what level of medical treatment, if any, was required.

Names and addresses should preferably be supplied to allow us to get more details if we need them, but anonymous accounts will be accepted.

All such personal details will, in any case, be kept strictly ­confidential. There is no limit to how long ago or where the ­incident occurred, as long as the location remains basically as it was.

The issue will the subject of the society’s public forum this year: 7.30pm-9pm on Tuesday, February 7, at The Flavel; all are welcome; free entry.

We will discuss possible ways forward in light of the proposed transfer of assets from South Hams Council to Dartmouth Town Council.