Residents and officials in Cheltenham are raising alarm over the worsening condition of Malden Road in Pittville, where persistent sinking has left the street in a deteriorated state. Gloucestershire County Council has hesitated to resurface the road, emphasizing that collapsed pipes beneath the surface must be addressed first.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Julian Tooke, representing Pittville and St Paul’s at Shire Hall, has urged Severn Trent Water to take immediate action. He stressed the futility of patching the road without first repairing the underlying infrastructure, pointing to clear evidence that damaged pipes are to blame.
“The road surface on parts of Malden Road is a disgrace,” Councillor Tooke said. “Signs indicate that the problem stems from collapsed pipes managed by Severn Trent. Resurfacing without fixing these pipes will only result in further sinking and damage.
“We’ve repeatedly asked Severn Trent to confirm the issue and undertake necessary repairs so that Gloucestershire Highways can proceed with resurfacing. Unfortunately, they have declined to act so far. Meanwhile, residents must endure a severely damaged road.”
Responding to the concerns, a Severn Trent spokesperson explained that the company has conducted initial investigations but will return with the county council for additional surveys to determine the precise cause.
“We’ve inspected Malden Road and are planning further surveys alongside the council to better understand the issue,” the spokesperson said.
With residents caught in the middle of this ongoing dispute, the call to repair the collapsed pipes before any roadwork can proceed grows louder.