Reassurances are given over the ‘temporary’ nature of paving slabs in town centre

RESIDENTS are being reassured that an asphalt surface which replaced paving slabs in the town centre is a temporary measure

York paving slabs were lifted and replaced with an asphalt surface during National Grid works to replace a cable on the junction of King Edward Street and Compton.

Further work is planned in the area over the course of this year as part of the Ashbourne Reborn Transformation Project, which will see the pavement and surrounding area being lifted again for investigatory works.

For this reason it was decided that a temporary surface would be a better short-term solution for the area rather than re-laying the York slabs.

The current works will replace a section of cable from the junction south of Henmore Bridge, along Dig Street to the junction with St John Street.

Derbyshire County Council’s deputy leader, councillor Simon Spencer, said: “We are sorry that residents have been concerned by what has happened to the York paving slabs but we can reassure everyone that the surface put down currently is temporary and will be transformed when all the work is finished.

“The temporary measure is because there will be further works in the area and it was agreed this was the best use of resources to use this surface temporarily rather than relaying the slabs.

“The slabs themselves will be carefully stored and then reused to benefit another area of the town when work starts there as part of the Bus Service Improvement Plan.

“I can assure all residents that all agencies are working closely to ensure that work around Ashbourne town centre is coordinated to minimise disruption as far as possible.”

The comments come after residents took to social media to criticise the paving slabs and the asphalt surface used on them.

One wrote: “Surely it would have been easier to relay slabs than pay and lay tarmac.”

While another added: “What a mess, come on councillors get it put back how it should be.”

Someone also commented online: “It looks a blooming eye sore, but to the company it’s probably less labour intensive and cheaper, so a double win for them. No one considers the aesthetics of it.”

The slabs themselves will be stored and then re-used as part of Bus Service Improvement Plan works on Church Street in the town later this year.

The temporary surface on the junction of King Edward Street and Compton which has caused the concern, will be entirely replaced under Ashbourne Reborn Transformation Project’s highways and public realm project, due to start towards the end of this year.

This work will help to transform the pedestrian experience in Ashbourne with wider footways and new and improved crossings around the town centre.

YOU’VE got to hand it to those Christians. That is one big claim! A man dying (common enough!) then RISING from the DEAD? Who are they trying to kid? That is the most preposterous thing ever! Who would ever believe that?

And yet, that is the Christian claim at Easter. When you take the time to think about it, it is the most extraordinary claim.

If it was fake, a myth, a face-saving made up story, then surely it would have vanished long ago in the dust of history. As one religious leader advised when confronted by the early Christians: “If their purpose or activity is of human origin, then it will fail. But if it is from God, then you will not be able to stop these men, you will only find yourselves fighting against God”.

And this isn’t just a side issue. The apostle Paul makes it clear that without the resurrection, Christians have nothing, but with the resurrection, they have everything. But the Bible doesn’t expect us to just make a blind leap of faith in this. The gospels provide us with eye-witness evidence of what happened, for us to think about and consider carefully.

This evidence has been examined by lawyers, cold case detectives and journalists and found to be coherent and convincing. But if it is true, what does that mean? That would mean everything changes!

And that is what is presented at Easter: truly good news, no one excluded, open to all who will hear and think about and come.