Calls to fix Leominster streets

Leominster residents are calling for ‘urgent action’ to fix the ‘dire’ state of their town’s roads.

Roger Everall says many of their streets are like ‘Beirut’ and he wants Herefordshire Council to sort it out.

“They are spending all that money on barriers along the A49 but it’s Leominster’s roads that need fixing and yet West Street in particular is very bad,” Mr Everall said.

But a county council spokesman said they regularly inspect the town’s roads and could not find ‘any causes for concern’.

Yet pictures taken clearly show many trip hazards and dips in the road.

And earlier this year, a woman slammed her head on the pavement while falling near the telephone box on West Street.

“West Street, along with other streets in Leominster, is inspected monthly to monitor the condition of the road and ensure that it is safe,” a spokesperson said.

“Our recent inspections have not identified any causes for concern, but we are always looking to maintain and improve the condition of our highways network where possible.

“Herefordshire Council and Balfour Beatty Living Places have been working closely with Leominster Town Council to identify and prioritise future road and public space improvements for Leominster. An annual programme for road repair and improvement work for 2020 is being compiled across the county and will prioritise works based on the condition of all roads. This will be presented in February and published on the council’s website in March.”

The spokesman said the town had also been successful in securing a £2million grant from Historic England’s High Streets Heritage Action Zones scheme. This funding will deliver improvements to historic buildings and public assets.