Council workers have left residents furious after creating a 1ft-high 'speed bump' in the middle of a pavement. The bizarre mound appeared on Park Avenue in Claines, Worcestershire, after workers tried to remove the remains of a dead tree.
However, after being forced to leave the stump when they discovered utility pipes underneath, the stump was covered in tarmac, creating a 30cm hump which locals say is difficult to navigate.
Residents raise safety concerns
Resident Adam Thomas, 57, who lives opposite, fears it could be particularly dangerous for people with disabilities. Dad-of-one Adam, who has a visual impairment, said: 'If I'm walking along I don't expect a big hill in the pavement. It's absolutely madness, it looks like a speed bump.'
Graphic designer Ed Gallagher, 55, said he now walks in the road to avoid the mound. The dad-of-two said he initially thought the work was temporary after seeing barriers left nearby.
'Then they left and all that was there was a great big mound of tarmac,' he said. 'I assumed from the start it was a temporary fix but then they tarmacked it – why would they do that if it was temporary? It's like climbing Ben Nevis on a dog walk to the park.'
Local reactions and council response
The unusual obstacle has even caught the attention of local BMX rider Oliver Cox, 19. He said it was 'quite good for jumping my bike over', but admitted people using pushchairs or mobility scooters could struggle. 'I wouldn't want my nan falling over on it or anything,' he said.
Councillor Karen Holmes said she was shocked by the work. 'As an engineer, I could not believe what I was seeing,' she said. 'I have never come across anything like this. If the stump cannot be removed because of the utilities underneath it, then a proper solution needs to be found that is safe and practical for residents using the pavement.'
Councillor Mel Allcott, cabinet member for highways and transport, said she had seen plenty of tree stumps ground down but 'never one coated in tarmac over a foot high'.
Worcestershire County Council said previously unmapped utility cables had been discovered during the work, meaning the stump could not safely be removed. A council spokesperson said the mound was a 'temporary arrangement' while the issue was resolved. They said the footway remained open and safe for residents, with the council planning to return to complete the work at a later date.
