Crackdown on utility companies after 'cow pat' paving

Concerns had been raised regarding the temporary paving previously

“Tarmac cow pats” in a town centre are being replaced as council leaders say they plan to "raise standards to protect streets".

Cheltenham Civic Society complained after contractors used tarmac to replace stone slabs outside John Lewis in High Street.

Gloucestershire County Council leaders said from now on the authority will only use utility companies that have the correct paving slabs in store.

Cabinet member for highways and flooding Dom Morris said the council is "cracking down" on utility companies' disruption.

After completing work on paved streets, contractors secure the area with temporary repairs that often do not match the paving stones of the street.

Council leaders said this leads to "eyesores".

'Raising standards'

Contractors are given a period of up to six months to remedy the temporary surfacing and complete the pavement repairs.

But the council is implementing new measures to speed the process up, to "protect the special character of the county's streets".

"It’s already the utility company’s responsibility to have appropriate plans in place to put things right and the council can’t refuse emergency works such as water leaks or gas repairs, which demand faster action.

"However, in future, any planned works in city or town centres with specialist paving will not be permitted to start until the contractor has shown they have the correct paving slabs in store," a council spokesperson said.

Gloucestershire Highways will begin work in Cheltenham town centre this week to replace older temporary repairs with matching paving stones to the original style of the pavements.

Mr Morris added: "This is one of many steps we’re taking as part of our Highways Transformation Programme to crack down on utility companies who cause disruption on our roads.

"We are raising standards to protect our streets and create better journeys for everyone in Gloucestershire.”