A local council could face legal action over what residents have dubbed “tarmac cowpats”.
Cheltenham Civic Society has launched proceedings against Gloucestershire County Council for blighting the town centre’s paved areas.
The civic group has served a section 56 notice on the authority, a move which could ultimately result in court action if the council fails to address the unsightly asphalt patches.
Local people have expressed support for the legal challenge, describing the repairs as an eyesore which tarnishes Cheltenham’s image.
The society initially raised concerns about the makeshift tarmac repairs in 2024 but claims it had no choice but to pursue formal legal action.
Resident Julie Olding expressed frustration at the visual impact on visitors to the spa town: “If you’re a visitor coming in, it’s not the best thing to look at, when you’ve got this beautiful pavement and then big cow pats.”
Jane McGraham, another local, argued the pavement condition was harming Cheltenham’s standing as a destination.
She told the BBC: “We have lots of people coming for things like the jazz festival and the races, we want to present Cheltenham in the best light.”
A local council could face legal action over what residents have dubbed ‘tarmac cowpats’
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Fellow resident David Moore shared similar sentiments, calling the repairs an “eyesore”.
He told the BBC: “There’s a fair few in Cheltenham… it’s a beautiful town and it’s letting it down, it’s a shame really.”
Andrew Booton, who chairs Cheltenham Civic Society, said that the asphalt patches used in place of proper paving slabs were simply “not acceptable” for a town of Cheltenham’s calibre.
He said: “The treatment of these public spaces are having a detrimental impact on the town centre, affecting businesses, residents and visitors.”
Cheltenham Civic Society has launched proceedings against Gloucestershire County Council for blighting the town centre’s paved areas
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The society maintains the crude repair work undermines the aesthetic quality of central Cheltenham, where attractive streetscapes are considered vital to the local economy and community pride.
A section 56 notice is a legal mechanism which enables members of the public to compel highway authorities to carry out repairs to roads and footpaths.
Should the council fail to act within the specified timeframe or contest the notice, the matter may proceed to court.
A cabinet member for highways at Gloucestershire County Council said it was ‘disappointing to receive a formal legal challenge’
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Gloucestershire County Council said maintenance efforts were already in progress prior to the legal action being initiated, including work to replace both tarmac and damaged paving slabs.
Joe Harris, cabinet member for highways at Gloucestershire County Council, said it was “disappointing to receive a formal legal challenge”.
He added: “Planned maintenance work is already underway, including replacing tarmac and damaged slabs. This was scheduled well in advance of the Section 56 notice being received.”
GB News has approached Gloucestershire council for comment.