RESIDENTS have expressed relief that ‘dangerous’ roads and pavements in their neighbourhood are finally set to be properly surfaced after years of delays.
Persimmon Homes, which has built the Malvern Vale estate, has now confirmed the roadworks are underway and should be completed in time for Christmas.
For years the Malvern Vale Residents’ Group has raised concerns about a number of issues arguing the area is not safe for pedestrians, particularly elderly people and parents with children.
The problems include uneven paths and roads, protruding drain covers, eight-inch high kerbs, debris left by contractors and poorly maintained speed bumps which have caused damage to vehicles. Residents fear the issues could get worse if there is a cold snap.
Jo Riley, who moved into her home in 2009, said: “They [Persimmon] have promised for the last two years ‘we’ll finish it, we’ll finish it’.
“I did not anticipate when I moved in that I would be driving on such rubbish roads for so long and the pavements are a hazard. Lots of people have had trips and falls including me.
“You expect it to an extent because it is still a building site, but it has been long enough now.
“This is a lovely estate but the roads have spoilt it. If they are going to be finished it would be wonderful.”
Megan Jones, who has lived at Malvern Vale since last year, added: “I think it’s appalling it has been left in this state for such a long time and the interim measures have been poorly maintained.
“It will be great if Persimmon are able to achieve completion as they promise after such a long drawn out wait.”
A spokesperson from Worcestershire Highways said the authority would not be responsible for the surfaces until Persimmon had come to an agreement with Severn Trent Water over a drainage issue, although Severn Trent could not clarify the matter themselves by the time the Observer went to press.
But Andy Peters, managing director at Persimmon South Midlands, reassured residents that the roads would be finished by Christmas.
He said: “The layout of the internal roads on this site meant that we couldn’t carry out the surfacing work until site traffic activity had ceased.
“Upon completion of these works the road will be adopted by Worcestershire County Council.”
Malvern MP Harriett Baldwin has recently backed residents on the matter and wrote to Persimmon to step up the work.
She said: “At the moment some of the surfaces are in a shocking state.
“The Malvern Vale development is a fine addition to area and I look forward to seeing the surfacing work completed within this important deadline.”
