Winchester man criticises council for dangerous paving slabs

The paving slabs in Southgate Street were replaced in September 2022 but some are already starting to come loose and create trip hazards for pedestrians.

Howard Jenkins, a consultant chartered building surveyor, is concerned that tax payers’ money is being misspent, with the work to improve the pavements being so quickly undone.

READ MORE: Disruption ahead as county council prepares to replace paving slabs on Southgate Street in Winchester

The wobbly paving slabs in Southgate Street (Image: Adele Bouchard)

Mr Jenkins, 69, who lives in Archery Lane off Southgate Street, counted 22 loose paving slabs when walking down a short stretch of the street recently.

He said: “After 18 months and it has happened quite literally in the last few weeks, I suddenly noticed that a number of slabs have started to move.

“When a pavement is redone it should be indefinite, particularly with the amount of effort they put in. If this work had been done properly it should last forever. When they laid the concrete slabs they were terribly thin and brittle and that is why they are now broken. Delivery vans drive on the pavements and park there.

UPDATE: Hampshire County Council to inspect loose slabs in Southgate Street

“In London, they have bollards to stop drivers doing so. It’s more expensive to have bollards but it’s a one-time cost rather than having to constantly fix the pavement. They would have to take wheelchairs into account but the bollards could be just in line with the kerb.

“A lot of money has been spent and 18 months later we have a trip hazard for children and the elderly. They could fall flat on their face. People forget it is our money and I resent it. I don’t see that the money has been well spent so they should be held to account.

“The county council must have had some supervisory role and needed to check the work of the contractors.”

Mr Jenkins contacted the county council and was told that his message would be passed on.