Axminster’s trip-hazard pavement to be replaced

Axminster’s wobbly town centre paving slabs, which have claimed numerous victims, are finally to be replaced.

Town councillors have been told that the notorious section between NatWest and Lloyds bank - where several people have tripped and been injured – will be asphalted over later this year.

Nick Allen, Devon County Council’s Neighbourhood Highway officer, told members of the traffic management committee that the work would be done in the new financial year

He said work to replace the paving slabs in South Street would follow.

Mayor Douglas Hull told the Herald he welcomed the decision to replace the uneven paving slabs but said it had originally been hoped this work would be done in the last financial year

Amongst those applauding the move will be Sheena Carr, 62, who recently stumbled and fell on a raised slab in Victoria Place and had to seek emergency dental treatment.

She was left bruised and shocked after she went down on the notoriously wobbly section between NatWest Bank and Martin’s Newsagents.

She said: “I fell headlong to the floor, hurting my right knee, banging my face on the ground and breaking my spectacles, which were in my hand.

“I attended an emergency appointment at the Axminster Dental Practice, who confirmed, after an X-ray, that fortunately my teeth were not broken and replaced a filling which had been knocked out during the fall.”

Welcoming news of the slabs’ removal, she added: “Nick Allen said that the repairs will take place in the summer, but could not be more specific. Never mind, it’s a great result for everyone. I would like to express my thanks to your newspaper for highlighting the town’s problem areas, and all those who have worked to make this long-awaited sensible solution to happen.”