A WIDOW has called for better definition between the roads and pavements in Godshill after her husband tripped and fell, then died soon afterwards.

James Bamford, 87, never returned home after taking a holiday on the Isle of Wight, and his wife Pamela believes his death was a direct result of his fall.

He tripped up the pavement on Godshill High Street, and broke his hip.

After three weeks at St Mary's Hospital, Newport, he was transferred by ambulance to a hospital nearer his home in Cumbria, but died after suffering two bleeds on the brain.

An inquest has been opened.

Pamela said: "It was a blind corner on the road with no pavement, and when he went to step up on to the pavement he tripped and broke his hip.

"With the amount of elderly people that visit Godshill and walk either side of the road, there may be yellow lines but there are no markings to define the kerb. It needs defining more.

"I thought they could shut the road and pedestrianise it for the holiday period, so people can safely walk both sides of the road.

"I would like to say thank you to the paramedics and all the people who helped that day."

An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson said: "There are parts of Godshill where, due to the proximity of property to the carriageway, it's not possible to have separate footways.

"The installation of the 20mph limit was done, in part, due to the fact there are pinch points without pavement.

"Therefore the only real action we could take was for a lower limit. I am not aware of any plans to provide any new footways."

An Island Roads spokesperson added: "We would like to send our sincere condolences to Mrs Bamford.

"Island Roads is aware of the busy and unique nature of the road at this location and as part of our duties to maintain a safe highway network have carried out inspections of it.

"Both our own observations and recorded accident data do not identify an issue with the kerbing at this location which is clearly defined.

"We will of course continue to monitor the location in line with our ongoing work to maintain a safe road network."