Furious residents have been forced to walk in the road because large sections of the pavement have been fenced off by Staffordshire County Council three years ago.

The section of pavement where the former Talke library was located on Chester Road has been cordoned off for over three years, despite a campaign from residents to get it reopened.

Long time resident Winston Cartwright says that because the road is on a blind hill he and his wife struggle to cross the 'dangerous' road safely and it is worse now because they can't hear the electric cars.

The 79 year old former shop steward said: "People want this pavement doing for their own safety, it is dangerous. We've been campaigning to get this done for four years. They closed the pavement because somebody fell so they didn't cure the problem they said we'll cover it up"

Planning permission for four new three bed houses on the former library site was granted in 2019. Some residents blame the machinery for causing some of the damage to the pavement.

Staffordshire County Council confirmed that the pavement will be fixed once work on the former library has been completed (LDRS).

Retiree Brenda White said: "They were going in with big heavy machinery, so although it used to be a cracked pavement it didn't have the indentations it has now.

"Well we are all fed-up and want it sorted. There is a blind lady who goes around here with a dog and the dog has to take her on the road.

"We are all hoping when this building is completed on what was an eyesore of a patch of land that when the houses go up and it's completed we might get a decent pavement."

Local ward councillor, Sylvia Dymond commented: "I contacted the county council in April and didn't get a reply. I've contacted the cabinet member for highways, David Williams and had a reply email saying his officers are investigating the situation.

"I'm hoping to get something done about it because three years is a long time for something to sit there barred off. It can't stay there as it is now, it is dangerous and it's not right."

Staffordshire County Council have confirmed that the pavement will only be fixed once development on the former library has finished.

David Williams, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport at Staffordshire County Council said: "The temporary fencing was installed to prevent people from using the footpath for safety reasons due to concerns about the condition of the flagstones.

"We do intend to repair the pavement, however as the area is being developed and new utilities could be installed, we are waiting until this is carried out. By doing the work once will help keep costs down. Once the development is complete and the repairs carried out the footpath will be reopened."

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READ MORE: Former Hanley library set to become ten-storey block of flats 

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