TEIGNMOUTH Town Councillors are calling for urgent improvements to town centre streets where paving slabs, paviours and drain covers are cracked, loose or missing.

The call comes after contractors working for Wales and West Utilities recently left parts of The Triangle in an ‘unacceptable’ state and where traders were given misleading information about the works programme.

Cllr Keith Underhill and Cllr Dan Comer visited the site as Devon County Council’s Highways Enforcement Officer Jamie Staples was inspecting the damage.

His assessment was damning.

‘Every single site that they’ve opened up and reinstated has failed,’ he said.

‘Paving slabs have not been pointed in, either sufficiently or at all, many are cracked or have damaged corners.

‘There are incorrect materials been used to surround existing ironworks, some of the slabs are raised to 12mm proud which results in a potential trip hazard, there are also saw cuts.

‘I’m now taking enforcement action to get the Wales and West contractors to come back on site in the next two weeks to replace and repair all the defects I’ve found.

‘I’ve also recommended in my report that these are done at night so as to stop further disruption to the businesses.’

Mr Staples said the firm could expect ‘substantial’ fines and risk prosecution.

Cllr Underhill, who is also chairman of the Chamber of Trade, welcomed the county council’s intervention.

‘The two main cafes here closed for two days after being told work was going to be started in front of them but it didn’t,’ he said.

‘Then another afternoon work started with diggers but no notice or any safety measures such as fencing.

‘Everyone has suffered in some shape or form.’

Cllr Comer added: ‘Even though as town councillors we have no authority on highways matters it’s vital we speak up for the people of Teignmouth.

‘We’re pleased to see County Hall taking this matter in The Triangle so seriously but now they must also address our concerns in Bank Street and Teign Street where other repairs are unsatisfactory and being made worse by an increased level of heavy delivery truck movements which is causing serious damage.

‘One trader even put his own safety barriers out to prevent an accident when three drain covers were left out.

‘These matters have now all been reported and we look forward to swift action to resolve them.’

Wales & West Utilities Programme Controller for Teignmouth, Roxanne Whittaker, said: ‘We are aware of an issue regarding the completion of reinstatement work carried out by contractors working on our behalf in The Triangle area of Teignmouth.

‘We had previously worked in the area to upgrade the gas network, so that we can continue to keep the gas flowing safely to homes and businesses in the area.

‘We are working with Devon County Council to address the issues raised and will agree with them on an appropriate time to carry out any further work that minimises any potential disruption.’