Pavement safety work making progress in Barnoldswick and Earby town centres
Pavement improvement work has begun in Barnoldswick and Earby town centres after concerns were raised that people had fallen and hurt themselves in both locations.
Pendle Council Leader and West Craven Councillor David Whipp has welcomed the start of more pavement improvement work, which follows on from previous phases in both Barnoldswick and Earby.
"I'm delighted we're able to continue making our town centre pavements smoother and more accessible for people on foot or using wheelchairs, mobility scooters and prams,” said Coun. Whipp.
“The work follows on from previous phases in both Barnoldswick and Earby. We've had to work hard to get the money for these projects, and it's great seeing work getting underway.”
The programme of improvements began with the Barnoldswick Town Square just as Covid hit. Successive phases have seen work carried out on other town centre pavements in Barnoldswick, and last year the programme was extended to Earby's Victoria Road.
As well as renewing worn out and uneven surfaces, the work includes installing pedestrian crossovers at junctions to aid people in wheelchairs and with prams.
Coun. Whipp added: “Work started on Water Street in Earby a few weeks ago. In both towns, we're using hard-wearing natural stone paving which has a roughened surface to reduce the risk of them becoming slippery. “In Barnoldswick, this phase includes work at the top of Frank Street, where the 'shared surface' of block paving is worn out, and the very uneven pavement and frontage in front of the old post office at the junction of Station Road and Fernlea Avenue. People have fallen and hurt themselves at both locations.
“Work begins in the bus shelter area on Station Road and Fernlea Avenue. The very soft stone in the shelters, together with block paved areas inbetween, will be replaced with more durable flags.
“Funding for the scheme is mainly coming from the final year of a specific government grant for this sort of work in town centres. This can't be used for general road repairs.”
Contractors will be using the end of the Rainhall Road car park as a compound. The work is due to take until the end of March.