Paving repairs blasted as ugly and trip hazard
REPAIR works have left the ground outside shops ‘a complete mess’ and a trip hazard, a councillor warned.
Cllr Sir Ron Watson fears that someone will fall and be injured and has called on Sefton Council to properly repair the ground on Chapel Street in Southport.
Parts of the pedestrianised street have been replaced with differently shaped, sized and coloured flags in what now forms an uneven surface and Sir Ron fears accidents will be inevitable.
The council has said it will repair the grounds with the granite blocks seen elsewhere on the street “as soon as possible”, but has not stated how long this could be.
Sir Ron said: “I am always pleased when empty retail premises are occupied as is the case with a shop next door to Marks & Spencer’s.
“However, the only way you can now describe the pavements that have been left are that they are a complete mess with different shapes and sizes and where they clearly do not fit, leaving gaps which in themselves are very dangerous and will inevitably result in people tripping.
“The area needs to be comprehensively reinstated as a matter of priority and I am at a loss to understand how it has been possible to simply walk away from what has been done which is nowhere near the quality and appearance of the rest of Chapel Street to its very great detriment.”
In response, a spokesperson for the authority said: “Sefton Council are aware of the works at this location and we have arranged for the permanent reinstatement to be completed, with the costs being borne by the contractor.
“The specialist granite blocks needed in this location do take longer to arrive than standard materials. Upon arrival of the new blocks, we will programme in the necessary works to be completed as soon as possible “In the interim, the contractor is responsible for ensuring the temporary works are left in a safe condition.”