Cheltenham Council Calls for Halt to Asphalt Pavement Repairs

Local council members in a town experiencing issues with “tarmac cowpats” have requested that highways authorities cease using asphalt for pavement repairs. Cheltenham Borough Council has expressed concern that current pavement repair methods are diminishing the aesthetic and historical value of the Regency town. Rowena Hay, the council’s leader, plans to send a letter to highways officials at Gloucestershire County Council (GCC), urging them to take into account the local environment when conducting repair work in Cheltenham. Dom Morris, the highways cabinet member, stated that GCC requires contractors to demonstrate they possess the appropriate paving slabs before commencing any work. According to the Local Democracy Service, borough councillors supported a motion earlier this month, which mandates Ms Hay to dispatch a letter to GCC. Her letter will request that the highways department acknowledge its ethical obligation to perform work that respects the public realm’s character, particularly in conservation zones or close to listed structures. Furthermore, Ms Hay intends to ask that asphalt be avoided for replacing paving stones or slabs during street or pavement repairs in these protected areas, and that any emergency asphalt repairs be substituted “in a timely fashion” with appropriate blocks and slabs. Councillor Julian Tooke, the proposer of the motion, commented that GCC has historically been accountable for work performed by utility companies, and that fully accepting this responsibility “is not an achievement.” Mr Tooke quoted the GCC website, stating: “On the GCC website, it states indignantly: ‘When utilities complete work on pavements they often make the area safe with temporary repairs that do not match the paving stones of the street and cause an eyesore’.” He further added: “To be frank, I am gobsmacked by this criticism of utility companies. GCC regularly creates eyesores by using asphalt on pavements which does not match with the paving stones.” Mr Morris, the highways cabinet member, indicated that GCC has been examining the management of special heritage locations. He also mentioned that GCC has been “increasing [its] efforts” to ensure utility companies are held responsible for using appropriate paving materials. Mr Morris concluded: “We want to ensure that our role in keeping the highway safely maintained is balanced with the aspirations for Cheltenham and its proud heritage, and have been carrying out work in the town centre this month to replace older temporary repairs with matching paving stones, to maintain the original style of the pavements.” Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.