AN EXASPERATED Crewe man has accused Cheshire County Council of neglecting pavements and verges in residential areas.
Richard Goodwin, 60, of Manor Way, says shoddy workmanship in repairing kerbs and filling in grass verges is creating a danger to pedestrians, as well as being unsightly.
He has spoken to the highways department at the county council, which has assured him action would be taken, but Mr Goodwin says they have been telling him that for years.
He said: ‘The kerbstones that have broken or fallen away are being replaced with a lump of tarmac which, surely, should never happen. I’ve never known the county council to make such shoddy, awful repairs, and I know of other examples which are springing up around town.
‘It’s a hazard to us all. There are people who are blind or have poor eyesight who feel for the edge of the kerb and the tarmac will not help them. It’s only a matter of time before someone gets injured.
‘The council has spent millions on projects like the Nantwich Road redevelopment, which included kerbs and pavements that didn’t need doing. The side streets are being neglected.’
He is being supported by borough and county councillors in the area.
Borough councillor Mick Roberts said: ‘Some of these verges and pavements are in a terrible state. I have got in touch with the county council who assured me they are looking into it.’
County councillor Dorothy Flude added: ‘It has to be said it has not been a very good job. However, it has been with a very limited budget. Having one council for Cheshire would allow a £21m saving, which would go a long way to sorting out our roads and pavements.’
The county council’s highways department insists the tarmac repairs are only temporary and are prompted by a requirement to take some form of action within 24 hours of notification.
A spokesman said: ‘We are not sure when we will fix the affected areas, but now we have been notified of this we will sort it out as soon as possible.’
What’s your verdict? We welcome your views. You can e-mail crewe.news@cheshirenews.co.uk, write to The Chronicle, 32-34 Victoria Street, Crewe CW1 2JE, or fax 01270 502439.
