Summary
Gloucestershire County Council could be taken to court over the state of some the streets in Cheltenham town centre. Lack of meaningful progress in addressing the spa town’s notorious “tarmac cow pats” has prompted Civic Society to consider legal action. They first raised concerns about the “unpleasant and unwelcoming” state of Cheltenham’s town centre streets in 2024.
Details
And now say a lack of meaningful progress on improvements to the Strand and the Promenade has left them with no alternative but to serve a further section 56 notice as they say the streets are still “shabby” and “unloved”. A section 56 is a legal instrument used by the public to compel highway authorities to repair public roads and footpaths.
Andrew Booton, who chairs the Civic Society, said the continued replacement of stone slabs with asphalt is not acceptable for a town of Cheltenham’s standing. “It is deeply disappointing that matters have reached this point,” he said.
“But the continued lack of meaningful progress on highways improvements to the Strand and the Promenade has left us with no alternative but to serve a further Section 56 notice under the Highways Act 1980 on Gloucestershire County Council as the highway authority. “We took this step once before in September 2024.
At that time, the County Council appeared to recognise the seriousness of the situation and some progress was made. “However, subsequent decisions have not only stalled that progress but, in our view, worsened conditions – notably through the resurfacing of the Strand and the continued replacement of stone slabs on the Promenade with tarmac. “This approach is simply not acceptable in a town of Cheltenham’s standing.
The condition and treatment of these key public spaces are having a detrimental impact on the town centre, affecting businesses, residents and visitors alike. “We have therefore been compelled to take a firm stand and use a significant legal mechanism to address what is now an ongoing failure.
“We trust that Gloucestershire County Council will take this notice seriously and act decisively to rectify the situation and deliver the standard of paving that Cheltenham deserves.” Gloucestershire County Council has been approached for comment.