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New blunder on Broadway

Dale Haslam
27/10/2005

BLIGHTED Broadway is in tatters again after a security van ran over new paving.

Hyndburn Council officers are investigating the incident to discover which firm was responsible for breaking the flagstones, which were installed at the taxpayers' expense.

The stretch has been hit by a series of setbacks since the council came under pressure to revamp the area last year.

Shoppers and residents complained paving was uneven, prompting a major £500,000 overhaul of the walkway, which began in mid-July.

That project was due to finish by Monday but a further delay is likely after the latest blunder.

Work could even go on until the busy Christmas shopping period begins.

If no company or individual is found liable for damaging the flagstones, the cost could be passed on to the taxpayer

A Hyndburn Council spokeswoman refused to say how much the damage would cost to repair.

One source, who asked not to be named, said it was in the region of £30,000, though the council spokeswoman said it was nowhere near that figure.

She added: "A vehicle has done a small amount of damage on Broadway and we are taking the matter up with the company involved."

Hyndburn Council leader, Councillor Peter Britcliffe, said: "I am appalled that this has happened.

"These security firms have the privilege of being able to go where the general public can't so they need to treat that privilege with responsibility.

"I am concerned that the taxpayer might end up paying for this unless the culprit coughs up."

He added: "Despite the setbacks, the contractor J and R Morgan has been extremely good and the inconvenience to shoppers has been kept to a minimum during the busy works.

"Hopefully, this won't cause too much of a delay and Broadway will look good this Christmas."


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Most recent 2 of 2 user comments

   My suspicions that the Observer has become one of the best fictional reads ever have now been confirmed. In the incident referred to a security van ran over a tree grill not paving stones. The cost of replaceent is likely to be 3 figures not B#30k and this will not delay or extend the completion date for the project which was never the Monday stated. The scheme cost is approx B#320k not B#500k. The contractor is J&R Moran not Morgan. Perhaps MC from the unknown council could send me a copy of the risk assessment that prevents a moron driving their van over street furniture without making the place look like Colditz. The tax payers may be paying for the irresponsible actions of some in the private sector, not any neglect of the council. Before coucil bashing, please check that the info is not fiction especially if read in the Observer.
kevin leadbitter, burnley
30/10/2005 at 13:26
   Did the councilnot even think that possibly this could have happened? Was any "risk assessment" done at all? Are taxpayers now having to cough up again because of incompetent councils? The contractors are not to blame for inferior work on the ground.
MC, Council Offices (not hyndburn)
28/10/2005 at 12:22
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