A dispute has broken out in Garston over claims that a "valuable heritage" asset is being removed and relocated to a more "prestigious area". Liverpool City Council (LCC) has decided to tear up historic York stone paving and replace it with tarmac, prompting complaints from residents and local councillors concerned about a "significant loss to the cultural identity and heritage of our community."
The Liverpool ECHO reported on the start of the removal process at the beginning of August, with people expressing anger and frustration about the loss of such a valued part of Garston's street scene.
Council Work Sparks Anger
Anger has been growing since the council began work, which it said will improve alleyways around the areas of Moss Street, Earp Street and Clifton Street. Local people have been unhappy to see the original paving slabs removed, while smaller cobble setts have been tarmacked over.
Garston's Independent councillors Lucy Williams and Sam Gorst are now asking LCC to investigate claims made by a "whistle blower", working as part of the contractor team, who said the York stone is being moved away from Garston "to more prestigious locations".
Councillors Demand Answers
They have also asked LCC why it had not offered a consultation process, and to detail the 'health and safety' risks used to justify the removal job.
In a formal complaint submitted to LCC, Cllrs Williams and Gorst said: "Garston's history and heritage belong to the people who live here. Historic materials embedded within our communities should not be removed without consultation and treated as a transferable asset."
"The Council has a responsibility to protect local heritage, respect residents and ensure that community assets remain connected to the communities that created and preserved them."
Expert's View
One member of the community arrives at the issue from a unique perspective, due to his status as a professional expert in stone paving. Matt Brockhurst, who runs Brockstone Ltd, was one of the first to highlight the issue on social media.
He told the ECHO: "Much the same, sadly but more so as the stones continue to be removed."
"I want to make it clear, my problem is not with the workers undertaking the removal, as they're just doing their jobs as any of us would. The problem here is the council who have green-lit these removals without asking anyone if they wanted it."
"They've also appeared to approve the tarmacking over of the smaller stones, the 'setts', and they're basically ruined now."
"These York stones are priceless really, the original historic stones are irreplaceable because of their age, character and the patina they've developed over time, so having the originals here in Garston was great."
"In my opinion, if the council had an issue with them for safety reasons or disrepair, they should have chosen to look at restoring them, cleaning them up and doing a few repairs if necessary. I only wish I could have done that job myself."
Brockhurst doesn't know whether the campaign to keep the stones will work, but it has prompted him and other tradespeople to see what they can do in other parts of Garston, and across the city as a whole.
He added: "I've started up the Historic Streets of Liverpool campaign, and it's just about identifying areas where there's heritage stone, including York stone and volunteering to clean it up and restore it as much as possible."
"I found a site off St Mary's Road, which we've just finished and I'm made up with the results. It just goes to show these things can be brought back to life."
Council Response
The ECHO contacted LCC to ask for their response to Cllr Williams and Cllr Gorst's complaint, as well as the issues raised by local residents. While acknowledging that York stone forms an integral part of the local heritage, council officials argued a shortage of replacement materials made repairs impossible.
Rather than patching the areas with mixed materials, which it claims creates structural weak points, the local authority said it opted for a full tarmac resurfacing to ensure long-term durability and ease of maintenance.
A spokesperson for Liverpool City Council said: "We do not currently have the stone needed to carry out repairs. Rather than introducing sections of tarmac among the existing stone, which can create further weak points, the entire alleyway is being resurfacing with tarmac. Tarmac is easier to maintain as it provides a flat surface, which is more durable and long-lasting."
"We understand that York stone contributes to the character of the area, but our primary focus is providing residents with a safe and durable surface for everyday access."
"As the existing stone cannot be repaired for its current use, we are looking at opportunities for it to be reused within Garston wherever possible."
