“This looks ugly as all hell.”
Just one response of many from York residents appalled by the decision to repair ancient Stonegate… with Tarmac.
But some of these are beginning to rupture thanks to the heavy delivery lorries.
The use of Tarmac to fill in the gaps – albeit temporarily – has shocked many people. And a petition to remove it, set up by Alex Slingsby, amassed nearly 1,500 signatures in the first 24 hours.
To Tarmac Stonegate is a dereliction of duty by the council to protect our city’s greatest asset its history and beauty
“It is worse than vandalism to knowingly use such inappropriate materials to ‘repair’ one of the most historic streets in York,” wrote Peter Hanson, of Fulford, on the change.org petition page.
“How anyone could think that this was an appropriate course of action is beyond me.”
Following the outcry City of York Council brought forward their estimated time for the upgrade of the repairs from July/August to June.
‘This is terrible for York’
More comments on the petition page included…
– Jane Cushing, York
– Anne Taylor, Elvington
– Evelyne Robertson, York
– Alison Oxley, Pickering
– Clare Lillywhite, Fulford
– Pippa Twigg, London
– Emma Welsh, York
– Fiona Long, York
– Sandra Morton, Northampton
‘Ugly and unncessary’
York Civic Trust chief executive David Fraser believes there is no place for Tarmac on Stonegate. He said:
It is visually jarring and causes severe damage to the quality of the environment in this hugely significant historic street which is so important to today’s economy.
One man, who works at the Vapesafe shop on Stonegate, told YorkMix he isn’t too pleased with the altered aesthetic.
The shopworker, who didn’t want to be named, said: “It just looks disgusting.
“It takes away from the heritage of the street. For the tourists too it’ll look disgusting.”
‘Bill of £1 million’
Cllr Ian Gillies, the council’s executive member for planning and transport, said the council recognised that major improvements are needed in parts of the city centre including Stonegate.
He has asked officers to prepare a report on the options.
Cllr Gillies said:
Early estimates put this cost at up to £1 million.
The council is currently sourcing new York stone paving for Stonegate which will be restored in June.
Tarmac repairs were always a temporary measure to replace broken paving stones and we recognise the importance of completing the stone paving in June.
These repairs will cost in the region of £30,000 – £50,000, but is far more cost effective than replacing them all individually.
The quality of York’s city centre public spaces are fundamental to sustaining the city’s present and future prosperity, which is important to everyone who lives, works or visits York.
Can’t believe York can do this.This is one of the most important streets leading to the Minster.What sort of impression does this give visitors and residents.A disgrace.
Went for a meal down Stonegate the other day. What a bloody mess the street was. This to remind the Council is designated as one of the most beautiful streets in the world. Check please York Council, it is!! What an earth are you playing at. How dare you degenerate such an historic site. Get your damn fingers out and get this sorted out. Who the hell sanctioned this you should be ashamed of yourself and resign forthwith!!
For god’s sake, get a grip, people.
The Tarmac is temporary, as in Not For Ever.
As in, it will be replaced with stone within the next 2-5 weeks.
CYC cutting corners again! The roads are disgusting in York! The traffic is a nightmare!! Get it sorted it’s what I pay my council tax for!!
No no no its awful not in keeping with our beautiful city
The tarmac repairs look like temporary shoddy bodge jobs. They look bad to the visitors using Stonegate, and for the residents it looks like someone isn’t all that bothered about the historic beauty of our City.
Why waste money on ugly temporary repairs! It’s not a problem that has happened overnight so source materials at an earlier date and do the job properly once!
The repairs over Ouse bridge are ridiculous too! Dollops of bumpy Tarmac in holes that will just break away in a short time as are many of Yorks road repairs …. Do it once properly… Cheaper in the long run.