Regeneration and investment has completely transformed the area, but ‘low quality repairs’ are becoming a cause of much frustration
Prescot Town Centre(Image: Andrew Teebay/Liverpool Echo)
One Merseyside town has been completely transformed over the last few years, with millions of pounds being invested in various regeneration projects, including a world class theatre building. However, because of those improvements, and a desire to see them maintained, people have raised concerns about the impact of “low quality repairs” to the street scene on Prescot’s main high street.
Dave Kelly, 63, has lived in Prescot for his entire life and said he has seen huge changes, and is full of praise for the ongoing regeneration of the town. However, during a recent walk through Eccleston Street, Dave said some of the the benefits of that regeneration are in danger of being undermined.
He added: “My wife and I went for stroll up the high street, and there we saw it, and we were just bemused.
“I occasionally post stuff on Facebook to do with Prescot, normally positive stuff, but obviously I was appalled at what this looked like. I’m a retired engineer, so I do work that depends on quality, and I’m looking at that and just thinking, what’s the point of spending all that money and then you do that.”
Aftermath of recent maintenance work carried out on Eccleston Street in Prescot(Image: Handout)
Dave is referring to areas on Eccleston Street that have been subject to repairs and maintenance, including work on a drainage system. This seemed to involve removing recently installed paving blocks, completing the job, and covering the holes with a layer of concrete, with no sign of the blocks being replaced.
Dave posted images of the concrete layers to a local Facebook group, prompting dozens of comments sharing his concerns. He wrote: “We spend millions of pounds on the finest granite and then spoil it with super low quality and inappropriate repairs. Is this going to continue to be [Knowsley Council’s] repair policy?
“The drain that has been fitted has been set below the surface, which traps water, which will freeze for someone to slip on … an accident waiting to happen!”
The Liverpool ECHO understands contractors are responsible for repairs, but it is the local authority who has responsibility for the street scene and maintaining the quality of the pathways, including replacing any displaced blocks.
Dave told the ECHO: “I understand its a quick fix on all that stuff, but with the amount of investment that’s gone on here, it is no longer an appropriate fix. What is the point of spending all that money and then just filling it in?
“The general investment has been absolutely fantastic for Prescot, it’s a thriving sort of place, it’s nice to walk along, and the council should be proud of its work here.
“The paving on the high street is relatively new, super high quality, extremely well designed and fitted, and then someone takes them blocks out and puts a bit of tarmac over it, which is uneven.
“Me and my wife were walking along recently, and noticing even more new places that have opened since our last walk, and enjoying the new Christmas lights that have been put up a couple of weeks ago.
Aftermath of recent maintenance work carried out on Eccleston Street in Prescot(Image: Handout from LOL Bingo)
“We’re looking up the lights and they’re absolutely beautiful, like a fairytale, and as we’re looking up, I’m tripping over on the floor, because these fixes are making it unsafe.
“There’s an old expression ‘penny wise and pound crazy’. We spent all that money, and we’re saving a few pennies because low quality repairs and the street is not being restored to the way it was previously.
“It’s such a shame and I hope the procedure and policy changes so that areas are restored when work gets done, because more work will be needed in the future, so protecting the street scene is an important consideration.”
After raising the issue with Knowsley Council, a spokesperson told the ECHO: “Essential utility work was recently carried out by United Utilities and Cadent on Eccleston Street. When paving stones are removed for this type of work, they can become damaged.
“In this case, the space has been temporarily filled with asphalt and the paving stones will be reinstated in the new year. Our highways team are continuing to monitor this work.”
United Utilities has been approached for comment.