Gloucestershire County Council faces potential legal action over the deteriorating condition of Cheltenham’s town centre streets. The Cheltenham Civic Society has raised the alarm about the poor state of crucial public spaces, including the Strand and the Promenade, citing a lack of meaningful progress in addressing long-standing issues.
Known locally for its infamous “tarmac cow pats,” the town’s pavements have sparked frustration and concern. The Civic Society first voiced their worries earlier in 2024, criticizing the streets as “unpleasant and unwelcoming.” Now, with little improvement evident, the group has issued a further Section 56 notice, a legal instrument compelling highway authorities to carry out necessary repairs.
Andrew Booton, Chair of the Civic Society, expressed deep disappointment with the council’s approach. “The continued replacement of traditional stone slabs with asphalt is unacceptable for a town of Cheltenham’s standing,” he said. “After serving our first Section 56 notice in September 2024, we saw some progress. However, recent decisions have stalled and even worsened conditions, particularly on the Strand and Promenade.”
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Booton emphasized that the shabby state of these streets is harming the town centre’s appeal, impacting businesses, residents, and visitors alike. “We have no choice but to take a firm stand and utilize legal measures to address this ongoing failure. We urge Gloucestershire County Council to respond seriously and restore the high standard Cheltenham deserves.”
In response, Gloucestershire’s Highways Cabinet Member Joe Harris acknowledged receipt of the Section 56 notice and recognized the concerns raised. “Section 56 notices primarily relate to highway safety rather than appearance or materials,” Harris explained. “Our inspections have not identified any safety defects requiring urgent action.”
Harris also highlighted that planned maintenance is already in progress, including replacing tarmac and damaged slabs. He called for collaboration as the best path forward. “We share many of the same aspirations for Cheltenham and are working to balance safety with respect for the town’s heritage and character. We’re also strengthening our enforcement against utility companies responsible for subpar reinstatements.”
Harris remains hopeful that scheduled maintenance will help improve the look and condition of the highways. “This work was planned well in advance of receiving the Section 56 notice and aims to address some of the concerns raised by the Civic Society.”