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Pontypridd and Valleys
Tonypandy Pedestrian Area
The Safety Issue
In the autumn of 1998 the local council (Rhondda Cynon Taff) began conversion
of the main shopping street, Dunraven Street, into a pedestrian area.
Traffic was diverted around the town centre via an inner bypass road. Two
other bypass roads avoid the central area of the town altogether
I became concerned when the type of material used changed part way through
the project, from a rough type of paving stone to a smooth one. The smooth
stones appeared to be more slippery, and simple walking tests appeared to
confirm this.
I raised my concerns with the Council first over the phone, then in writing.
I was given bland assurances that the materials were safe. I was further
assured that the material would not be used on inclined surfaces.
As the work continued the paving was used on a passageway leading to the
car park. The use of the car park is changed to a market on Friday mornings,
and the number of pedestrians on this bit of paving increases greatly at
that time. The gradient of pavement in the middle reaches about 1 in 6.
In places, immediately next to walls it reaches 1 in 3. I reported that this
appeared to contradict the assurances which had been given, but I had no
response from the Council.
After several further contacts by letter and telephone, I received a copy
of some test data (produced by the manufacturer, not by the Council) which
indicated that the materials used met minimum recommended standards. It
indicated that the testing had taken place under wet conditions. I made
it clear from the outset that my main concern was a the possible hazards
resulting from wet, freezing conditions, with the possible formation of
a layer of ice on the surface. I tried to get data to compare the two
types of material which were being used, but to no avail. None of the
manufacturer supplied indicated that the material was safe to use on a
1 in 6 gradient.
In discussion with other Tonypandy residents I became aware of another
hazard. The paving stones are grey in colour with patches of brown sand.
Unfortunately dog-fouling in the area is not unknown. Particularly when
it is wet, it becomes another potential source of lubrication. It is
a matter of concern, particularly for elderly pedestrians, since many wear
bifocal glasses which blurs the visual field including the walking surface
immediately in front of them. This disability renders it more difficult to
distinguish between dog mess and brown sand in the paving stone. Of course
elderly people are far more likely than young poeple to injure themselves
in a fall whilst walking.
In the early stages of campaigning I wrote a letter
about the matter to the local paper called the Rhondda Leader.
:
For the moment, at least, I feel that I have exhausted all reasonable
steps in communicating with the Council. Unfortunately there is no
indication that the Council will not use these materials in future paving
projects.
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This page was last updated on 26 November 2000 __________
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