FURIOUS locals have hit out after pensioners were injured by “crazy paving” and “ski-slope” walkways that cost £1.3 million.
St Editha’s Square in Tamworth, Staffordshire, was reopened on June 21 as part of a multi-million pound regeneration project in the town centre.
SWNSA man’s injured leg after slipping on paving at St Editha’s Square in Tamworth[/caption]
SWNS:South West News ServiceIt was reopened on June 21 as part of a multi-million pound regeneration project in the town centre[/caption]
SWNS:South West News ServiceSue Vaughan, 67, who is owner of the Market Cafe, said she knew of at least seven people who had been injured in the space of just a few weeks[/caption]
SWNS:South West News ServiceThe problem is being blamed on ‘ski-slope’ ramps, ‘trip hazard’ flower beds and the ‘disorientating’ pink and white design of the new paving[/caption]
But in under two months at least seven elderly and disabled people have been left injured due to trips and falls while out shopping in the revamped area.
One man is said to have toppled from his mobility scooter from one of the slopes while another was left hospitalised with a nasty head injury.
The problem is being blamed on “ski-slope” ramps, “trip hazard” flower beds and the “disorientating” pink and white design of the new paving.
Sue Vaughan, 67, who is owner of the Market Cafe, said she knew of at least seven people who had been injured in the space of just a few weeks.
She added: “People on scooters have been toppling over coming down the slopes and at least seven have been injured that I know of.
“One elderly man came off his mobility scooter and another had to be taken to hospital with a head injury.
“Others have injured their knees and ankles. It is just awful for customers of mine to be injured, it makes me feel disgusted.
“Anyone on walkers or zimmer frames come out of shops and onto the slope and its proving very dangerous as the nearby planters have sharp edges.”
The disgruntled local added: “On top of that the paving stones themselves are already crumbling away, which will make the issue even worse.
“They are perishing and falling away – they’ve not even been there five minutes and it has cost the council millions.
“Plus they don’t even look good. The trees are all dead in the planters and the benches don’t have any backs to them.
“It’s a real shame as they haven’t improved the area at all in my opinion. It is a complete waste of money.”
Shopper Stef Brown, 31, a mum-of-one from Tamworth, said: “The crazy paving is a bit of an eyesore and quite disorientating, so no wonder people are falling.
“We’ve got the Snowdome down the road, so we don’t need more ski slopes in the town centre. They’ve spent millions making the place a death trap.
“It’s just a huge waste of money.”
PURE INCOMPETENCE
In February, TikTok sensation Ben Newman, AKA, Spudman won a battle to stay at the square after plans to replace it with a flowerbed were scrapped.
Ben, 40, said: “This was all done without any real consultation and it is clearly not fit for purpose.
“The surface needs to be hard-wearing and designed to benefit the people who you use it, and that just hasn’t happened.
“The paving is terrible quality and literally falls away in people’s hands. We’re losing traders over it – we’re down from seven market traders to just three.”
Fuming Ben added: “We’ve had nine months of disruption, ended up with this and I have no idea how it has cost £1.3 million.
“It’s just pure incompetence on the council’s part. They now want to fence off the area again for another 12 weeks to remove the planters.
“It’s just obscene.”
Sarah Gayton, a blind campaigner who also trades in the square, questioned how the development was signed off in the first place.
She added: “The level difference between the shops and the walkway by Sue’s cafe is like a ski slope.
“There is absolutely no colour contrast of the flower beds which make them an instant trip hazard.”
SWNSBen Newman, The Spudman, described it as ‘pure incompetence’[/caption]
SWNS:South West News ServiceMultiple pensioners have been left injured by ‘crazy paving’[/caption]
SWNS:South West News ServiceSeveral visitors have tripped due to the slope outside shop entrances and the “trip-hazard” flower beds[/caption]
Tamworth Borough Council claims the square met all required safety standards, but it would remove the flower beds to “create a flat, more open space”.
The local authority said it’s in the process of delivering a £21 million “ambitious regeneration plan” to “transform” the town centre.
Leader of the council, Carol Dean said: “First and foremost, I want to express my sincere concern for the gentleman injured in St Editha’s Square.
“The wellbeing and safety of our residents, especially those who are elderly or living with disabilities, is our absolute priority.
“St Editha’s Square meets all required safety standards and was designed to create a step-free, accessible space for our community.
“However, the feedback we’ve received from local people and traders has been invaluable and we take these concerns very seriously.
“The planters were designed to enhance the space but following careful consideration of the feedback from customers and traders, alongside our own detailed assessments and observations, we can see that the design is causing practical issues for some town centre visitors.
“After weighing up all the evidence, we have made the decision to remove the planters to create a flat, more open space.
“The square was designed to be step-free and provide open access for all users, which is a positive achievement.
“There is a natural gradient due to the different ground levels within the space, but our priority has been to create an environment without steps.
“We will continue to work closely with local residents and traders to make sure St Editha’s Square remains a safe and welcoming space for all.”
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