By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
The replacement of paving slabs with asphalt outside a historic Gloucester pub has been blasted as “totally unacceptable” by a city councillor.
National Grid Electricity Distribution carried out the works last week when replacing a faulty underground link box outside the Dick Whittington pub in Westgate Street.
They said the existing paving slabs were in a poor condition and unsuitable for reinstatement. The current asphalt surface is only a temporary fix so the footpath could be reopened as quickly as possible, they added.
Westgate Councillor Rebecca Trimnell (LD) said the site needs permanent reinstatement as soon as possible. The pub is under new management and is understood to be reopening again soon.
“I was horrified when I was alerted by residents to see the state National Grid has left one of the pavements on Westgate Street outside the Dick Whittington pub after planned work,” she said.
“I was told by a workman that they were merely tasked to tarmac the area when asked whether they would be fixing with like-for-like replacement slabs.
“I immediately contacted the county council highways team who will be investigating, and to ensure they’re held to account for the works undertaken, but this can take up to six months, and the legislation I have been told is pretty toothless.
“I am absolutely appalled if they think this to be acceptable, I want the county council to do everything in their power to ensure National Grid come back and fix their mess.
“The Dick Whittington pub is under new management and is due to reopen again soon, it is totally unacceptable for this pavement to be left like this, and needs permanent fixing as soon as possible.”
A National Grid spokesperson said they understand why local residents have raised concerns about the appearance of the pavement following their work in Westgate Street.
“The existing paving slabs were found to be in poor condition and unsuitable for re-use, which was discussed with Gloucestershire County Council before the work took place,” a spokesperson said.
“The current tarmac surface is a temporary reinstatement which allowed the footpath to be reopened as quickly as possible following the works, pending a permanent reinstatement.”
The energy firm has offered to relay replacement paving slabs, once supplied by the highways authority, as part of the permanent works.
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