Lib Dem council could be hauled to COURT over 'tarmac cowpats' blighting historic town

A Liberal Democrat-run council could risk being hauled to court over a series of "tarmac cowpats" blighting a town's streets.

Gloucestershire County Council is facing down local fury over what are commonly known as "street scars" across Cheltenham's town centre.

The Cheltenham Civic Society has initiated legal proceedings against the authority, demanding the removal of asphalt patches used to replace damaged paving slabs.

Local people have dubbed the repairs "tarmac cowpats" and welcomed the society's intervention.

Resident Julie Olding said: "If you're a visitor coming in, it's not the best thing to look at, when you've got this beautiful pavement and then big cow pats."

Fellow resident David Moore called the repairs an "eyesore".

"There's a fair few in Cheltenham... it's a beautiful town and it's letting it down, it's a shame really," he said.

The civic society first raised concerns about the tarmac repairs back in 2024.

Andrew Booton, chairman of Cheltenham Civic Society, said the asphalt repairs used to replace paving slabs were "not acceptable" for the town.

"The treatment of these public spaces are having a detrimental impact on the town centre, affecting businesses, residents and visitors," he said.

The organisation has now served a section 56 notice to the council.

This legal mechanism allows members of the public to compel highway authorities to repair roads and footpaths.

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Should the council fail to act within the required timeframe or contest the notice, the matter could proceed to court.

Residents fear the state of the pavements is harming historic Cheltenham's image as a destination for visitors.

Jane McGraham said the condition of the town's walkways was damaging its reputation.

"We have lots of people coming for things like the jazz festival and the races, we want to present Cheltenham in the best light," she said.

The spa town hosts several major annual events that draw thousands of visitors, including the renowned Cheltenham Festival horse racing meeting and the jazz festival.

Joe Harris, cabinet member for highways at Gloucestershire County Council, said it was "disappointing to receive a formal legal challenge".

The council maintains that repair work was already in progress before the legal notice arrived.

"Planned maintenance work is already under way, including replacing tarmac and damaged slabs," he added.

"This was scheduled well in advance of the Section 56 notice being received."

The authority says it is actively addressing the damaged areas, with crews working to replace both the controversial asphalt patches and broken paving stones across the town centre.