A LONG-AWAITED scheme to plough an extra £6m into improving Worcestershire’s pavements has been launched.
The additional money over the next two years will more than double the original investment into pavements, meaning more than 50 extra miles of local pavements can be improved.
That’s the equivalent distance from Worcester to Oxford.
Over the past five years the County Council has spoken to more than 55,000 residents and improving the condition of local roads and pavements is a top priority.
Alongside the extra investment into pavements and the launch of the Driving Home programme last year, this brings the additional money being spent on local roads and pavements to £18m.
Coun Alan Amos, cabinet member for Highways, said: “Worcestershire’s pavements are used by most of us on a daily basis.
“This additional investment has meant we are able to improve many more pavements across the county.
“We know that pavements and roads are important to our residents because they consistently tell us.
“We hope these improvements will also encourage more people to walk more often and adopt a more healthy and active lifestyle which in turn could help to cut congestion, reduce journey times and improve our health and well-being.”
As part of the ongoing programme to improve pavements across the county, contractors on behalf of the County Council have been working at York Place in Worcester.
Works involve removing old concrete footways and cast kerbing and replacing them with conservation kerbing and small concrete slabs.
This innovative solution ensures that, when future utilities works take place, the whole slab can be dug up and replaced rather than leaving unsightly trenches.
In addition, drainage has been improved with the addition of new gullies.
The main complexity of the scheme involved dealing with the 60-plus old and dilapidated cellar lights, all of which have been rebuilt with a standard glass window.
