The recent replacement of stone slabs with painted asphalt on Northgate Street in Gloucester city centre has sparked anger among local councillors, who say the changes have “ruined” a historic part of the city.
The resurfacing is part of Gloucestershire County Council’s ambitious 26-mile cycle spine scheme, designed to connect Bishop’s Cleeve with Stroud through Cheltenham and Gloucester. However, Councillor Rebecca Trimnell (Liberal Democrat) expressed strong dissatisfaction with the work, describing the new buff-coloured asphalt as “cheap and naff” and out of character with the city’s cherished gate streets.
Stone slabs that once adorned the area outside St John’s Church and the opposite side of Northgate Street were removed and replaced with tarmac, later painted in a buff colour to blend with the surroundings. Despite these efforts, Cllr Trimnell criticised the multi-million pound project for neglecting Gloucester’s historic aesthetic.
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“The surface laid has visually ruined this part of the city, there has been much warranted criticism, no one likes it and personally I don’t even like walking on it,” she said.
She urged Gloucestershire County Council to reinstate the original stone slabs, emphasising the importance of preserving the visual heritage of key city landmarks.
In response, Councillor Roger Whyborn (Liberal Democrat), responsible for sustainable transport and road safety, defended the changes. He explained that the modifications on Northgate Street form part of a broader initiative aimed at enhancing safety and making it easier for people to walk, cycle, and wheel throughout the city centre.
These upgrades, he noted, improve accessibility and create additional space for pedestrians while carefully considering the city’s historical context. The buff-coloured surface was chosen after thorough evaluation of heritage concerns, durability, accessibility, safety, and long-term value.
The debate highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing modern infrastructure improvements with the preservation of historic urban environments in Gloucester.