By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
Part of Gloucester city centre has been “ruined” after work on a new cycle path replaced stone slabs with painted asphalt.
That is the view of Hempsted and Westgate councillor Rebecca Trimnell (LD) who is not happy about the changes made to Northgate Street, which she believes look “cheap and naff”.
The works are part of Gloucestershire County Council’s 26-mile cycle spine scheme which aims to link Bishop’s Cleeve with Stroud via Cheltenham and Gloucester.
Stone slabs outside St John’s Church and on the opposite side of the road have been replaced with asphalt, which has since been painted as part of the improvements.
But Cllr Trimnell believes none of the work for the multi-million pound cycle path has been in keeping with the city’s historic gate streets.
“I have never been happy with the work undertaken on Northgate Street,” she said.
“First, the slabs were taken up, then, the tarmac went down, followed recently by a buff coloured imprint, which looks cheap and naff.
“In my opinion, none of the work has been in keeping with Gloucester’s historic gate streets and all for a cycleway that has cost far too many millions of pounds.
“The surface laid has visually ruined this part of the city, there has been much warranted criticism, no one likes it and personally I don’t even like walking on it.
“My calls to the county council is to bring back the slabs show that preserve the look and feel of historic places such as Gloucester is as important to this authority as it is to the residents of this city.”
Fellow Liberal Democrat Roger Whyborn (Benhall and Up Hatherley), who is the councillor responsible for sustainable transport and road safety, said the changes on Northgate Street are part of a wider scheme to make it safer and easier for people to walk, wheel and cycle through the city centre.
These works improve accessibility and create more space for pedestrians, and at the same time having careful regard for the city’s heritage, he said.
“The buff-coloured surface forms part of the approved scheme design and was selected after careful consideration of factors including heritage, durability, accessibility, safety and long-term value,” he said.
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