Councillor calls on council to adopt strip of tarmac

A Gloucester city councillor is calling for an area of tarmac in his ward to be adopted by the county council.

Residents of Thornhill Close in Podsmead contacted Councillor Sebastian Field to see if he could assist with a problem.

The area of land to the rear of the houses in Uphill Place that adjoins the houses at one end of Thornhill Close is in poor condition.

The residents drew the Liberal Democrat councillor's attention to some potholes and also some weeds growing on the tarmac.

He took photographs and wrote to the county council highways department and the city council streetcare contractor Amey about the problem.

But he was told that as the land was not currently adopted by the county council, neither council could carry out any work to the land.

It would be down to the owner of the land to make it good, which appears in this case to be the original developer when the houses were built several decades ago. The firm seems to be long-defunct.

After further enquiries as to whether the council could intervene, Councillor Field was told "this area of land only provides access to the rear of the properties on Podsmead Road and would have no benefit to the highway user, therefore [we] would not support the adoption of this section of road".

Councillor Field, who represents Podsmead on the city council, said: "Thornhill Close is a cul-de-sac but with a cut through onto Podsmead Road.

"It's a nice residential street and I would like to get this piece of land tidied up for the residents.

"A number of residents park their cars next to it and there is a risk of damage from the potholes.

"It seems daft that it would be the responsibility of a long-gone firm from decades ago.

"I don't see why the residents should have to fork out for the upkeep of this area when the council could easily add it to their service programme.

"The Conservatives at Shire Hall keep reminding us they are spending £150 million on Gloucestershire's roads, but how much of that investment finds its way to Gloucester and our roads?

"I am writing a letter to all nearby residents and starting a petition to urge the council to take action on this neglected piece of land."

The petition can be signed online at: SignMe.org.uk/1780