The decision to pause the controversial plans to tarmac the Promenade has been celebrated as a victory by Cheltenham’s Civic Society. Gloucestershire County Council has chosen to put on hold their proposals, which involved ripping up the York flagstones and replacing them with a strip of tarmac, following a public outcry and a campaign by the Civic Society. A petition opposing the plans garnered over 2,000 signatures.
While the Civic Society views this as a temporary victory, the effort to preserve the iconic Promenade is ongoing. The pause from the Council will involve exploring alternative options that can accommodate vehicle access without compromising the integrity of the area.
Andrew Booton, Cheltenham Civic Society Chair, expressed the society’s satisfaction with the Council’s decision to halt the tarmac plan and emphasized the need for an inclusive consultation process to arrive at a solution that respects the town’s heritage and beauty.
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County Council leader Stephen Davies confirmed the pause, highlighting the need to consider alternative solutions for vehicle access, particularly for events like the Christmas Market.
A spokesperson representing Gloucestershire County Council and Cheltenham Borough Council stated that the decision to put the initial plans on hold was made after a meeting with various stakeholders and that further research will be conducted to address the challenges while maintaining the area’s vibrancy.