The residents of Atkinson Gardens in Aycliffe Village are up in arms over the footpath outside their houses, recently resurfaced by contractors from Birmingham, employed by the County Council. The material used is not the same quality as tarmac and is obviously an inferior product which can be laid much quicker and cheaper. However the result is less than acceptable leaving a very rough finish which is uneven and dangerous in places for pedestrians who may trip over uneven edges. We are told by householders the men poured the black “sludge” on top of the existing surface and brushed it to make an even pathway, but failed miserably. They have covered the edges of outside water stopcock covers on the footpath making it difficult to get to the tap to turn it off when necessary. The evidence of poor work is easily shown by the fact that after a week, grass and weeds are growing through this supposedly non-porous material, The whole of Atkinson Gardens has been resurfaced and it is definitely below the standards normally accepted. Town Councillor Billy Blenkinsopp a former County Councillor was asked to inspect the work and he calls it a “botched job” and totally unacceptable. Residents have expressed their discontent and are waiting for their County Councillors to take the complaints to County Hall who they hope will take immediate action to bring the footpaths up to standard.
