‘Tarmac cow pat’ sparks town centre maintenance row

The tarmac patch appeared outside a John Lewis store following BT Openreach work

“Tarmac cow pats” in a town centre have sparked calls for two local councils to “stop the buck-passing” and sort out the "mess".

Cheltenham Civic Society has said the replacement of stone slabs with tarmac across the town detracts from its appeal to visitors.

MP Max Wilkinson has called on Gloucestershire County Council and Cheltenham Borough Council to sort out the legalities for a long-term maintenance plan.

Cheltenham Borough Council [CBC] declined to comment while Gloucestershire County Council [GCC] said it works closely with the borough council to keep the highway safe and maintained.

The county council added that some floor damage was caused by BT Openreach and that it has reminded the firm of the expectation to replace slabs once work is finished.

BT Openreach has been approached for comment.

The council said it works closely with the borough council and utility companies

Cheltenham Civic Society’s chairman Andrew Booton said the tarmac patch which has appeared outside John Lewis in High Street was something they were told should never happen.

“We’ve tried persuading, cajoling and even embarrassing them [the councils] into action, but they repeatedly pass the buck or deny there’s even a problem," he said.

"We very much welcome Max Wilkinson’s agreement with us that CBC and GCC need to work together and start delivering real improvements as a matter of urgency."

'Town centre aspirations'

Gloucestershire County Council said most of the “tarmac cow pats” are from repairs done by utility companies or damage from large vehicles delivering or collecting refuse in the high street.

A spokesperson added: “We work closely with Cheltenham Borough Council to ensure that our role in keeping the highway safe and maintained aligns with the aspirations for the town centre.

“The recent work on the High Street near John Lewis in Cheltenham was carried out by BT Openreach.

“We work closely with utility companies and have reminded BT Openreach of the improved response expected in the town centre, by replacing the slabs after the work is complete.”