A DISABLED dad was shocked to receive an estimate of £33,000 to create a dropped kerb outside his home - more than he and his wife originally paid for their house.

Pietro Bellato of Goldsmith Road in Blackpole in Worcester had already forked out £3,074 from his savings for the dropped kerb, paid directly to county council contractor Ringway. 

However, the 72-year-old was gobsmacked to receive a further estimate of £33,000 because the work would involve diverting 'shallow' fibre optic cables.

The retired floor layer and his wife say the estimate for the work is more than the £35,000 they originally paid for the semi-detached house in 1996.

DETERMINED: Pietero Bellato wants a dropped kerb, which he had already paid £3,000 towards, not a disabled bay on the road DETERMINED: Pietero Bellato wants a dropped kerb, which he had already paid £3,000 towards, not a disabled bay on the road (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Although the letter displayed the logo of CA Telecom and CityFibre, Worcester News understands that the cost estimate was drawn up by CA Telecom, not CityFibre.

The couple has been supported by Warndon city councillor Jill Desayrah who is adamant these heavy costs should not fall on the residents and said she was 'horrified' by the situation.

Mr Bellato, who has battled cancer and is waiting to see a specialist about a major hernia, has been offered a disabled bay on the road instead of the dropped kerb.

SUPPORT: Cllr Jill Desayrah has been supporting the Bellatos and lobbying the county council and other bodies on their behalf SUPPORT: Cllr Jill Desayrah has been supporting the Bellatos and lobbying the county council and other bodies on their behalf (Image: Supplied)

He said: "I'm sick and tired of this now.

"These companies are big fish - blue whales - and I am a very tiny anchovy but even a tiny anchovy becomes so angry he becomes a killer whale. I'm not giving up.

"I just want the job done. They're all just passing the buck."

SHOCK: The letter received by Pietro Bellato SHOCK: The letter received by Pietro Bellato (Image: Supplied)

We understand from sources CityFibre laid the fibre at the correct depth of 300mm and they were not involved in preparing the quote.

His wife, Angela, also suffers with mobility issues - she needs a hip replacement and suffers from scoliosis (a twisted spine) and spondylosis.

ESTIMATE: The estimate for the work in Goldsmith Road received by the shocked pensioners in Goldsmith Road showing the figure of £33,601.77 (including VAT)ESTIMATE: The estimate for the work in Goldsmith Road received by the shocked pensioners in Goldsmith Road showing the figure of £33,601.77 (including VAT) (Image: Supplied)

A spokesperson from Worcestershire County Council said any resident can apply to Worcestershire for a dropped kerb and, if approved, are responsible for the costs. 

"In some instances there may be utility infrastructure present beneath the relevant footway or verge that would need to be altered in order to safely complete a dropped kerb installation and this particular location is subject to these requirements."

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They said after talks with the resident it will be implementing a traffic regulation order for a disabled parking bay. 

"Arrangements are underway to refund the resident for the payment they had made towards the dropped kerb installation that will now not be going ahead.”

We have approached CityFibre and CA Telecom for a comment.