Replace the Walking Surfaces Now!

But the biggest and single most problem that exists is the walking surface, which is a slabbed surface that is a constant danger to shoppers and visitors to the Shopping Parade as it sinks and subsides with age and use.

The Ashmore Park Shopping Parade was built in the mid 1950’s. Over the years there has been many improvements made to its built environment.

There has been the addition of two car parks, the welcome development of the "Moat Project", the erection of CCTV cameras and the reconfiguring of the pathway that cuts across the site.

But the biggest and single most problem that exists is the walking surface, which is a slabbed surface that is a constant danger to shoppers and visitors to the Shopping Parade as it sinks and subsides with age and use.

Councillor Gwen Stafford Good today said “this issue is a vexing one for me. We know how dangerous the uneven surface can be for both young people and the elderly alike, but to date we have not been able to get the Council to replace the surface materials.”

A new and more vocal campaign is now to be launched by Wednesfield North Labour Councillors and Wednesfield North Labour Party, Councillor Phil Bateman explains “ I first produced an Action Plan for Ashmore Park Shopping Parade in 1998,It had broad community support at the time.

Much of what I called for then has been provided, work was undertaken on the canopy above the shops, and the car parks were built as was the changes to the cleaning contract at the time. The Moat Project was achieved, but the walking surfaces were not touched except for the random lifting of the odd badly damaged flag stone.

Now we want the walking surfaces to be renewed and made safe for everyday use by everyone, not just the robust not just the nimble but for everyone”.

Councillor Stafford Good added “We would like to see a surface that is safe reflecting perhaps the history of the site, as Phil’s original Action Plan called for. Using schools and community artists to design. What is certain is that we are going to campaign with the support of Wednesfield North Labour members for a safe walking surface for this important Shopping Parade.”