By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
The “appalling” replacement of paving slabs with asphalt outside a historic Gloucester pub has now been fixed.
Concerns were raised last month over work undertaken to replace a faulty underground link box outside the former Dick Whittington pub in Westgate Street.
There has been growing frustration across the county in recent years over “tarmac cowpats” in the historic centres of Cheltenham and Gloucester.
This is where utility companies dig up stone slabs to conduct repairs, replace the surface with a temporary fix of asphalt and never return it to its previous state.
National Grid said at the time of the work in Westgate Street that the existing paving slabs were in a poor condition and unsuitable for reinstatement.
It said the asphalt surface was only a temporary fix to allow the footpath to be reopened as quickly as possible. And now the stone paving has been reinstated.
Councillor Rebecca Trimnell (LD, Hempsted and Westgate), who said she was was appalled by the temporary repair, is pleased the stone paving has been reinstated.
“I am delighted with the work undertaken by National Grid to fix the paving slabs on Westgate Street,” she said.
“It’s great to see the paving in keeping with the historic street, and that they have been professionally laid. It’s what we want to see from all utility companies when work has been undertaken.
“My thanks also goes to the county council for taking up my concerns when I wasn’t sure the temporary fix was a permanent one.
“A lot can be achieved when we all come together as a united force for the good of the areas that we represent. May it continue.”