Council upset at 'scar' on new market square

Anglian Water said the asphalt is a "temporary" solution

A council has criticised a water company for leaving a "scar" on a newly refurbished market square after it replaced part of the fresh paving with a strip of asphalt.

West Northamptonshire Council expressed frustration after Anglian Water carried out work near a business in Northampton town centre, tearing up paving stones and filling in the hole with the black material.

"We don't want this street scar blighting our new square and have pressed [Anglian Water] to return and repair it as quickly as possible, said Daniel Lister, a Conservative councillor.

Anglian Water described the work on the market square - which reopened in November after a £12.5m make-over - as a "temporary solution".

Work by Anglian Water to reinstate the paving stones is expected to take place on 27 January

The market square was closed for renovations on 28 January 2023, with traders moving to Commercial Street.

It now features new paving, bespoke fixed stalls, lighting, seating, and trees.

The council confirmed the asphalt was a temporary measure by two utilities companies working on a nearby property.

It said it expected it to be rectified "next week".

Mr Lister, cabinet member for local economy, culture and leisure, added: "[It] is really unsightly and ruins the look of our new market square."

A spokesperson from Anglian Water said what had been left was a "temporary solution" after it had made a "new water connection".

They added: "Our teams will be returning on 27 January to complete a permanent reinstatement for the area."